An inside look at this year's ST. ALi Italian Film Festival

Never have we longed more for the chance to escape and become immersed in another world. The ST. ALi Italian Film Festival is back in town celebrating the very best of Italian cinema. Now in its 22nd year, the festival continues to present outstanding new Italian films as well as classic gems. The 2021 line-up features a sensational selection of films showcasing much-loved stars and exciting emerging talent.

A pinnacle of the festival is the Australian premiere of Daniele Luchetti’s, The Ties (Lacci). This sumptuous marriage-in-crisis drama spans a 40-year period in Naples and Rome. Husband and wife Aldo and Vanda go through a separation after he reveals his affair. Their two young children are torn between both parents in a whirlwind of resentment, but the ties that keep people together are inescapable, even without love.

Other festival standouts include:

Hidden Away (Volevo nascondermi)

Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear winner Elio Germano delivers a powerhouse performance in this multi award-winning biopic about the troubled life of celebrated artist Antonio Ligabue.

Three Perfect Daughters (È per il tuo bene)

A comedy hit that sees three friends hinder the love affairs of their daughters starring Marco Giallini (Perfect Strangers, God Willing) alongside Vincenzo Salemme and Giuseppe Battiston.

You Came Back (Lasciami andare)

Starring Stefano Accorsi as a man who finds himself torn between the past and the future, this dramatic thriller was the Closing Night film of the 2020 Venice International Film Festival.

With a focus on contemporary cinema that tells the stories of today’s Italy, plus an incredible selection of classics honouring the country’s filmmaking tradition, the ST. ALi Italian Film Festival will transport you to the antiquated cities and breathtaking valleys of Italy, offering you the perfect escape.

The festival is being hosted at Palace Cinemas from October 21 to November 14.