our films

Italy Love it or Leave it

Tuscan fields, bel canto arias, slow food and movie stars are some of the images synonymous with one of the world’s most adored cultures. Yet many of filmmakers Luca Regazzi and Gustav Hofer’s disenchanted friends have recently emigrated from Italy. Before following suit, the Italian couple decides to take a six-month road trip across the country to investigate the extent to which current realities outweigh the icons of la dolce vita. Throughout their exploration they witness multiple examples of staggering corruption, an increasingly lower standard of living, environmental hazards and intransigent fanaticism. Simultaneously, however, they encounter loyal crusaders who feel unequivocally compelled to make their homeland a better place. In an astute manner and with quirky Felliniesque animation, the film further tantalizes us with Italy’s glorious past and future potential. Will the pair decide to leave or stay? Their journey tells it all.

Italy Love it or Leave it

Gustav e Luca sono una coppia che vive a Roma. Gustav è stanco dell’Italia e dei suoi mille problemi e vorrebbe trasferirsi con il compagno a Berlino, ma Luca è troppo legato al suo paese per pensare di lasciarlo. I due decidono così di intraprendere un viaggio di sei mesi in varie città italiane, per raccogliere testimonianze dell’odierna realtà italiana per poi decidere del proprio futuro.

Suddenly, Last Winter

Suddenly, Last Winter', an ironic documentary that won several prizes at international festivals, tells the story of Gustav Hofer and Luca Ragazzi, the directors of the film. Their lives are turned upside down when the Italian government introduces a bill to reinforce the legal status of gays and unmarried couples. The bill provokes a country-wide debate and stirs a wave of homophobia in Italy. The Vatican and the conservatives speak out against the government’s plans, arguing that the end is near if the bill is voted. Gustav and Luca, who have been together for eight years, set out on a journey to hear all sides and come across an aspect of Italy they did not know yet. Intolerance appears to be more widespread than they thought.

Improvvisamente l'inverno scorso

È la storia di Luca e Gustav, che da anni vivono serenamente insieme a Roma. Ma quando, nel febbraio 2007, il Governo italiano propone di varare una legge sulle unioni di fatto estesa anche alle coppie omosessuali (DiCo), in sintonia con le direttive dell’Unione Europea, la loro vita cambia radicalmente. L’intero Paese si divide tra sostenitori ed oppositori. Improvvisamente è il tema discusso ovunque e costantemente, dai pulpiti delle chiese piuttosto che nei salotti televisivi. In breve tempo, però si raggiungono livelli parossistici di intolleranza. Dall’apertura della proposta dei DiCo ad un’omofobia crescente. Gustav e Luca, alla ricerca di un contatto e di un dialogo con tutte le parti in campo, iniziano un viaggio in un’Italia a loro totalmente sconosciuta.

What is Left ?

Come tanti italiani anche Gustav e Luca, i protagonisti-registi di questo documentario e da sempre elettori di sinistra, hanno pensato che il 2013 sarebbe stato l’anno della svolta. La rimonta di Berlusconi e l’entrata in scena di Beppe Grillo hanno cambiato le carte in tavola. Una serie di incontri, manifestazioni e situazioni paradossali li aiuteranno a districarsi nei meandri di un’identità che, se non è smarrita, è sicuramente appannata. Terzo capitolo dopo “Improvvisamente l’inverno scorso” e “Italy Love it or Leave it”, della fortunata trilogia sull’Italia.

What is Left ?

What happens when a country loses its political identity? Is the concept of “left” and “right” a thing of the past?Filmmakers Luca Ragazzi and Gustav Hofer, frustrated in their hope for a shift to a more equal and progressive Italy, decide to find out why theirs is such a persistently right-wing country – and what it still means to be on the Left today.As they set off on their quest they also look back to what Italy used to be, through their own family history. Luca grew up in a communist family when Italy had the strongest communist party in Europe, while Gustav grew up in the conservative mountain area of South Tyrol, far away from any leftish ideals, until the Green Party was born.They lead the audience through the most significant moments of recent Italian politics, following the election campaign of two young MPs, participating in a surreal TV quiz show, talking to intellectuals and visiting local party branches. In their own personal style, the two directors, makers of two previous successful films (Suddenly, Last Winter & Italy Love it or Leave it) try to make sense of Italian politics and society in an ironic and entertaining way, and, beyond Italy, to find out, “What is Left?” in the 21stcentury.