Mario Martone‘s Cannes Film Festival Competition title Fuori had its world premiere Tuesday night at the Lumière Theater, earning a 7 1/2–minute ovation.
From a script by Ippolita Di Majo and Martone, and starring Valeria Golino as writer Goliarda Sapienza, Fuori is inspired by Sapienza’s 1983 autobiography L’Università di Rebibbia (The University of Rebibbia) and follows her journey as the Italian publishing world rejects L’arte della gioia (The Art of Joy), the book she dedicated a decade to writing.
Reeling from this blow, Sapienza is promptly arrested and imprisoned for jewelry theft, but there is a silver lining: she forms solid bonds with her fellow inmates and continues to meet with them over the course of a long, hot summer. In particular, Sapienza becomes close with a political activist and repeat offender named Roberta (Matilda De Angelis).
Ultimately, the relationship between the two women serves to inspire Sapienza to embrace life and joy once more, although those around her may not understand their continuing strong bond.
The Art of Joy was written between 1967 and 1976, and published posthumously, and co-writer and director Martone’s casting of Golino as Sapienza has specific relevance since Golino directed a six-part TV adaptation, which aired earlier this year.
Elodie Di Patrizi, a singer and actor known as Elodie, stars alongside Golino and De Angelis, the latter known for the Sydney Sibilia-directed Rose Island (2020) and Niccolò Castelli’s Atlas (2021). The cast also includes Corrado Fortuna.
In 2018, Martone’s film Capri-revolution was selected by the Venice Film Festival.
