International premiere

Misericordia - Grand Prix Winner

Local title
Lunastus - Grand prix võitja 2023
Title in Russian
Искупление - Grand Prix Winner
Director
Emma Dante
Country
Italy
Year
2023
Programme
Official Selection - Competition
Genre
Drama
Subject
motherhood

This is Emma Dante's third feature film. The first two premiered at the Venice Film Festival, after which they have been shown in many countries. However, the author has gained even greater recognition as a playwright and theatre director. “Misericordia” is born from a play written and directed by the director, which can still be seen on the stage.

Three prostitutes live in the wasteland by the sea, where a village of outcasts has emerged. It is life in a harsh reality of poverty, ignorance, and violence. And the only ray of light in their lives is Arturo, whom they care for together. The young man is a weak-minded child in an adult body. His mother died in childbirth, and the women took him into their care as a newborn. What will the fate of this young man be in an environment he has not chosen and cannot choose because of his disability?

Presumably, this work of art would not have been born if the author had not become a mother herself. The film is dedicated to her adopted son. The director, who has a background in theatre directing, has emphasized the theme of general conditionality. At the same time, she has turned it into near-life realism in storytelling thanks to her skilful use of film techniques. The director has said that she is not interested in men as the main character. She is interested in the Woman. As a male viewer, however, it is extremely interesting and instructive to get to know a woman's world through Emma's eyes.

Mihkel Möölman

Director
Emma Dante
Screenwriter
Emma Dante, Elena Stancanelli, Giorgio Vasta
Cast
Simone Zambelli, Simona Malato, Tiziana Cuticchio, Milena Catalano, Fabrizio Ferracane, Carmine Maringola, Sandro Maria Campagna, Marika Pugliatti, Georgia Lorusso, Rosario Pandolfo
Producer
Marica Stocchi
DoP
Clarissa Cappellani
Composer
Gianluca Porcu
World sales
Charades
Runtime
Language
Italian
Subtitles
Estonian, English

Grand Prix for The Best Film, grant of 20 000 euros from the city of Tallinn, Award for Best Director, grant of 5000€ from Alexela

Screenings

Chill-Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening100102 / Lunastus
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Q&A guestsEmma Dante (Director, Screenwriter), Marica Stocchi (Producer)
Q&A duration
Screening duration
Hall Electric Cinema, TARTU
Screening104201 / Lunastus
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
8th Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening120805 / Lunastus
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
Hall Athena Center, Tartu
Screening174104 / Lunastus
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
2nd Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening170203 / Lunastus
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
Trailer
Q&A with the filmmaker