Paolo Genovese’s The Sound of Something New to open Rome Film Fest
- The new film by the Italian director follows six souls caught up in the disarray of everyday existence, as each character searches for their own “perfect noise”

Paolo Genovese’s new feature, The Sound of Something New, will open the 21st Rome Film Fest, which will unfold from 14 to 25 October in the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone.
The Italian director’s latest work will world premiere in the Grand Public section during the festival’s opening ceremony. Genovese is best known internationally for his 2016 hit Perfect Strangers - whose high-concept premise has spawned numerous remakes worldwide - as well as The First Day of My Life, Superheroes and last year’s Madly.
Set in Milan, The Sound of Something New follows six souls caught up in the disarray of everyday existence, as each character searches for their own “perfect noise” – a signal to follow rather than giving in to emotional numbness.
Ralph and Viola are struggling with family pressures, financial compromises and the bullying suffered by their son, Mirko, at school. Photographer Andrea, who dreams of becoming a father, is married to Andreina, a nurse who’s frightened by the prospect of motherhood. Elsewhere, a strong yet vulnerable woman called Alba finds herself trapped in a violent marriage with Umberto, who works as an entertainer on paediatric wards.
Their respective paths cross through humiliations, understated gestures of kindness and unspoken desires. When Viola and Andrea meet by chance, they’re faced with the prospect of a second chance, triggering a chain of events which unsettles all of their lives.
The ensemble cast includes Emanuela Fanelli (Madly, There Is Still Tomorrow), Claudia Pandolfi (a two-times David di Donatello nominee, the latest time for Dry – also seen in Madly and The Boy with Pink Pants), Vittoria Puccini (a David nominee for 18 Presents – also seen in Madly and Trust), Stefano Accorsi (two David di Donatello Awards for Best Actor, for Radiofreccia and Italian Race; recently seen in The Lesson), Lino Musella (winner of the David for Feeling Better, recently in HBO's Portobello), Edoardo Pesce (winner of the David for Dogman) and Claudio Santamaria (awarded the David di Donatello for They Call Me Jeeg, and also seen in Madly).
The Sound of Something New was produced by Leone Film Group’s Lotus Production together with Rai Cinema, in collaboration with Disney+ and in association with Vice Pictures. Rai Cinema International Distribution are handling world sales, with deals already struck for Albania, Benelux, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Spain and the former Yugoslav territories.
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