On the evening of November 27th, the third "Screen Implications – New Italian Films in Beijing" event officially opened at the China Film Archive Art Cinema. From now until November 30th, four Italian films that have recently garnered international attention will be screened: *Front or Back?*, *The Taste Tester*, *My Joyful Summer*, and *Family Feud*.
2025 Screening of Cinematic Meanings Poster
The "Screen Meaning" project has become an important bridge connecting Chinese and Italian film cultures. This event, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, is a concrete example of deepening cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries. Ms. Asia, advisor to the international department of CinemaCity in Rome and head of the "Screen Meaning" project, stated that "Screen Meaning" aims to showcase the creativity of Italy's film industry by screening the latest outstanding Italian films globally, and actively promote the international distribution, co-production, and industry cooperation of films. Project initiator Roberto Stabiler added, "Following the successful screenings at the Shanghai International Film Festival and in Hong Kong, this is our third time in Beijing. We look forward to Beijing audiences embracing these films with the same enthusiasm."
The four films selected for this year's "Screen Implications" feature diverse narrative perspectives and artistic expressions, collectively outlining the rich tapestry of contemporary Italian cinema. These works have all garnered acclaim at top international film festivals such as Venice, Cannes, and Locarno, showcasing Italian filmmakers' profound insights into humanity, history, and emotion from various dimensions.
Movie poster for "Front or Back?"
The opening film, *Front or Back?*, kicked off the screenings with a tense Western adventure. Co-directed by Alessio Rigo Derigo and Matteo Zoppis, the film tells the story of Rosa and her cowboy lover's escape through the Italian wilderness, pursued by the legendary Buffalo Bill himself. The film was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and won the Best Director Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Its desolate and magnificent visual style and modern reinterpretation of the legendary story have garnered significant attention.
Stills from "My Joyful Summer"
Another heartwarming film, *My Joyful Summer*, focuses on intergenerational dialogue and memories of growing up. Director Margarita Spampinato delicately portrays the clash and fusion of traditional and modern lifestyles through the story of a boy and an elderly woman spending summer together. The film won the Special Jury Prize and Best Performance Award at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival. Filled with discovery, adventure, and loss during summer, it conveys profound insights into the changes in life.
Poster for "Family Feud"
Among the films screened, *Family Feud* drew attention for its profound analysis of family relationships. Director Francesco Costabir focuses his lens on a family torn apart by a violent father, showing how a mother and her two sons confront the past and reconcile after a decade of estrangement. The film won the Best Actor Award in the Horizons section at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and will represent Italy in the 2026 Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film; its powerful emotional tension and superb performances are highly anticipated.
Stills from "The Food Tester"
Particularly noteworthy is *The Testers*, adapted from a true story. Director Silvio Soltini focuses his lens on the women forced to test Hitler's poisons during World War II, revealing a collective memory buried by history through the dying revelations of 95-year-old Margot Volker. Adapted from the Campiero Prize-winning novel *Hitler's Poison Testers*, the film explores the survival and struggle of individuals under the shadow of war from a unique perspective.
Although these four films cover different themes, they all continue the fine tradition of Italian cinema in focusing on reality and delving into human nature. From Western legends to family ethics, from historical reflections to coming-of-age narratives, they together form a multifaceted lens through which to observe contemporary Italian society and culture, bringing Beijing audiences a rich and layered cinematic feast.
At the third "Screen Implications – New Italian Films in Beijing" event, many Chinese viewers bought tickets.
It is also reported that since its inception in Beijing in 2023, the "Screen Meaning" project has brought nearly 20 new Italian films to Chinese audiences, and its role in promoting the industry is becoming increasingly prominent. The opening film in 2024, "There's Always Tomorrow," gained attention through the project platform. After its release in China, it not only received high praise (9.3 on Douban) and grossed over 40 million yuan at the box office, but also won the Best Foreign Language Film Award at the 38th Golden Rooster Awards, becoming a successful case of Sino-Italian film exchange.
In 2025, "Screen Impressions" continued its tour across Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing, debuting at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June, landing in Hong Kong in September, and finally returning to Beijing for its third edition. This series of events not only provided Chinese film fans with a window to appreciate contemporary Italian cinematic art but also created valuable opportunities for exchange and cooperation between filmmakers from both countries, further strengthening the bridge of cultural exchange against the backdrop of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. This event was jointly presented by the Italian Directorate General of Film and Audiovisual Culture, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the International Department of CinemaCity in Rome, the Italian Embassy in China, the Italian Cultural Center, and the China Film Archive.
