11/02/2007

Intrigued by an unusual subject and fascinated by a riveting and by no means typical narrative, the press enthusiastically received Saverio Costanzo’s second feature, In Memory of Myself [+see also:
trailer
film profile], presented this morning in official competition at the Berlinale.

The film literally had spectators glued to their seats with its story of inner torment and the search for peace that unfolds like a thriller. Based on Furio Monicelli’s novel The Perfect Jesuit, the story tells of the entry – without great conviction – of the ambitious Andrea into a Jesuit novitiate in Venice.

Determined to achieve absolute success with a very black and white mindset, the young man soon finds himself facing an alienating inner journey that poses questions never before considered. The journey leads to a clash between reason and the need for love, culminating in a Dostoyevsky-like finale that makes reference to Christ’s kiss on the Great Inquisitor’s lips in the Brothers Karamazov.

"This film speaks about the possibility of being silent and listening to one’s self," said the director during the press conference, "of the search for love within ourselves. It is not a ‘Catholic’ film but a film on asking ourselves questions. This is precisely the greatest taboo: not asking questions".

He continued: "We wanted audiences to identify with a normal story, with normal people dressed in civilian clothes. It is a film profoundly rooted to our times, which invites people not to forget about love".

In Memory of Myself was produced by Mario Gianani for Offside (also behind Costanzo’s debut film Private [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) in co-production with Medusa Film, which will distribute it in Italy.

International sales are being handled by France's Scalpel.

(Translated from Italian)