06/03/2015 - The film tells the story of reverse emigration: from Italy to Romania, in search of work and happiness. An international co-production led by Movimento Film with Rai Cinema

Edoardo Gabbriellini and Elena Radonicich on the set of Banat

Filming has begun in Romania for Banat [+see also:
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trailer
film profile] (provisional title), the first work by the Milan director moved to Paris Adriano Valerio. The movie, an international co-production that sees the participation of Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia, tells the story of reverse emigration: from Italy to Romania, in search of work and happiness. The main characters are Edoardo Gabbriellini (Hardboiled Egg, A Whole Life Ahead [+see also:
trailer
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interview: Luca Guadagnino - director
film profile]) and Elena Radonicich (All About You [+see also:
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Ivo and Clara live in Bari. Ivo is an agronomist, and to realize his career he's forced to accept a job offer in Romania. Clara is coming out of a difficult relationship. They meet by chance in the apartment of the eccentric Mrs Nitti: he is the outgoing tenant, she is the new one. They spend an entire night talking, surrounded by their respective boxes. Then Ivo leaves for Romania, and Clara stays in Bari. Having lost her job in a shipyard, Clara decides to join him. Together they could potentially fulfil their potential in an unexpected place. But suddenly an accident that destroys the company makes everything more difficult. Clara is afraid; Ivo doesn't want to give up hope. Is exile from their homeland really the only way to be happy?

Banat, written by Adriano Valerio and Ezio Abbate, is produced by Movimento Film with Rai Cinema. It's co-produced by Ars Digita (Bulgaria), Parada Film (Romania; Golden Bear in Berlin for Child's Pose [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Calin Peter Netzer
film profile]) and sees Macedonia (Kt Film) participating for the first time in a co-production project with Italy. The movie was made with the support of Mibact's Cinema DG, the Media programme for development and backed by the Apulia Film Commission. Filming will last for five weeks and will take place between Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Apulia.

In 2013, Adriano Valerio participated in over one hundred festivals worldwide with his short film 37°4 S winning numerous awards, including a David di Donatello, a Special Prize at the Silver Ribbon Awards and a Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival. “We're really proud to have carried out this co-production – stated producers Mario Mazzarotto and Emanuele Nespeca (Movimento Film) – and given his previous works, we believe that Adriano Valerio might offer a surprise in the panorama of Italian cinema”.

(Translated from Italian)