Reality (2012 film)
| Reality | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Matteo Garrone |
| Written by | Maurizio Braucci Ugo Chiti Matteo Garrone Massimo Gaudioso |
| Produced by | Domenico Procacci Matteo Garrone |
| Starring | Aniello Arena Loredana Simioli Claudia Gerini |
| Cinematography | Marco Onorato |
| Edited by | Marco Spoletini |
| Music by | Alexandre Desplat |
Production companies | Fandango Archimede |
| Distributed by | 01 Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Countries | Italy France |
| Language | Italian |
Reality is a 2012 Italian drama film directed by Matteo Garrone, starring Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli and Claudia Gerini. The narrative is set in the world of reality television, and follows a Neapolitan fishmonger who participates in Grande Fratello, the Italian version of Big Brother.[1] The film competed in competition at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival[2][3] and won the Grand Prix.[4]
Cast
- Aniello Arena
- Loredana Simioli
- Claudia Gerini
- Paola Minaccioni
- Ciro Petrone
- Nunzia Schiano
- Nando Paone
- Arturo Gambardella
- Angelica Borghese
Production
After winning acclaim with his 2008 crime film Gomorrah, director Matteo Garrone wanted a key change for his next project, and decided to make a comedy. The screenplay for Reality is based on a true story. Garrone describes it as "a simple, working-class tale", which is not intended as a political treatise. It did however develop into a darker film than originally planned, and Garrone has expressed doubt to whether the finished version can be described as a comedy.[5]
The film was produced by Fandango and the director's company Archimede. It received co-production support from Rai Cinema and France's Le Pacte, and financial backing from Garance Capital.[1] The 11-week recording began on 5 May 2011. Filming took place in Naples and Rome.[6] The film had the production title Big House.[5]
Actor Aniello Arena, who plays the protagonist, is a convicted former member of the Camorra who was discovered by director Garrone at a theater play staged by the inmates of the Volterra prison. He has served life in prison for murder since 1991. Garrone sought special permission for him to appear in Gomorrah and was denied, but kept him in mind and insisted for this film.[7]
Release
The film was selected for the main competition of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It is Garrones' third time at Cannes; his 2002 film The Embalmer was screened in the Directors' Fortnight section, and Gomorrah played in competition in 2008 and won the Grand Prix.[1]
Awards and nominations
The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or and won the Grand Prix at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
References
- ^ a b c De Marco, Camillo (20 April 2012). "Garrone bewitched by reality". cineuropa.org. Cineuropa. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ "2012 Official Selection". Cannes. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Cannes Film Festival 2012 line-up announced". timeout. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Awards 2012". Cannes. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ a b ANSA (19 April 2012). "Garrone bids for more Cannes success". Life in Italy. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ Scarpa, Vittoria (5 May 2011). "Garrone starts shooting Big House". cineuropa.org. Cineuropa. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ Vulliamy, Ed. "Aniello Arena: the Italian gangster who turned movie star". The Observer.
External links
- Reality at IMDb
- Reality at Rotten Tomatoes
- Valbonesi, Ilari, Arte e Reality, pubblicato su: "Arte e Critica", numero 73, 2013