Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

July 2 - 10, 2010

West
( Occidente )

Colour, 35mm
Italy, 2000, 91 min
Section: East Meets West

Director: Corso Salani
Screenplay: Corso Salani, Monica Rametta
Dir. of Photography: Fabio Zamation
Designer: Valentina Scalia
Editor: Luca Benedetti
Producer: Gianluca Arcopinto
Production: Pablo S. R. L.
Sales: Emme S. R. L.
Contact: Emme S. R. L.

Cast

Agnieszka Czekanska, Corso Salani, Fabio Sabbioni, Gianluca Arcopinto, Monica Rametta

Synopsis

Malvina Munteanu hails from Bucharest where, at the time of the political changes, she took part with other students in actions against the Ceaucescu regime. Some time later she was able to fulfil a dream common to so many young women from eastern Europe: to travel to the West. Today, Malvina lives in Italy, not in the big city but in provincial Aviano. She refuses to share the fate of many of her fellow-countrywomen who have ended up as prostitutes. She works as a waitress in a restaurant and in her free time takes nursing courses. Alberto is a young teacher. One day he and his colleagues go to the restaurant where Malvina works. Meeting the young Romanian woman changes his life.

About the director

Corso Salani (b. 1961, Florence) has lived and worked in Rome since 1985. He debuted in film with Voices of Europe (1989, Voci d’Europa) then made a documentary about the Romanian revolution Eugen or Ramona (1989, Eugen si Ramona) and another documentary in 1998 entitled Sector – South (Cono sur). Feature films: The Last Days (1991, Gli ultimi giorni), Tired Eyes (1995, Gli Occhi stranchi), and The West (2000, Occidente) in which he plays the lead.