Italian Film Festival

The Studio Italia | Italian Film Festival NZ warmly invites you to the screening of the multi-award-winning film 'Pinocchio' by Matteo Garrone.

Carlo Collodi’s 1883 book The Adventures of Pinocchio is probably Italy’s favourite fairy tale. Like all good fairy tales, it is not just for children. Director, Matteo Garrone has demonstrated considerable courage with the films he has made. I first discovered his talents in the 2008 crime film Gomorra, a mob film like no other. This year we have programmed his 2012 dramatic comedy Reality, (winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes) as a counterpoint to Pinocchio and a celebration of an important contemporary talent.

In this version of Pinocchio, Geppetto is played by the infinitely endearing Roberto Benigni, with a cast of brilliant Italian actors. This version remains true to the classic tale of poor woodcarver Geppetto, who carves a wooden puppet that comes to life, causing mischief as he learns to be alive, negotiating rights and wrongs.

Garrone’s film is tender and funny while still honouring the darkness of classic fairy tales.

This film possesses some of the most beautiful sets and costume design you are likely to see this year in a contemporary film. By the time you read this, it may have won 2 Oscars for Costume and Make-up.

The inherent aesthetics of Garrone’s film never distract from the picaresque narrative, characters and magic of this classic story. Garrone’s team use real, in-camera, special effects without digital trickery, and the result is breathtakingly beautiful.