STAY CALM! A universal tale that starts from a living room and spreads to the whole streaming world. The largest election campaign in history, orchestrated by a talented politician, his faithful secretary, and an ambitious showgirl. A mysterious character will compel them to be as they truly are. "The people want to see you cry. Like in a reality show!�
THE MOVIE
Characters 1. Giorgio Martini: Minister of Culture, If he weren’t a politician he wouldn’t know how to wipe his ass. A habitual socialite, he knows public image is crucial and how to sell it is even more valuable. 2. Pamela Galanti: showgirl, social network blogger. She’s convinced that being ‘liked’ by millions of followers is worth more than her degree. She’s a source of many hidden talents. 3. Marco Maliverni: Minister Martini’s personal secretary. Graduating with honours, he firmly believes that culture can change the fate of a nation. He is motivated by good intentions thought he finds that these constantly clash with a corrupt power system. 4. Enrico Altieri: Former Tennis player, He shares a past with Minister Martini. He’s the unknown factor in the story. Until the very end, it isn’t clear whether he is the victim or the slayer but his choices will determine the unfolding of the story.
Stay Calm is a black comedy that deals with how “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Cut-throat career aspirations and narcissism are magnified in this study of the deepest recesses in human nature. Primordial killer instincts are played out to a powerful climax. Stay Calm is breathtakingly told with energy, twisted irony, suspenseful drama and comedy. Modern society’s moral decay is magnified. From inception, the audience is captivated by narration that is evocative of cinematic imagery. However... nothing is what it seems.
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Giorgio Martini is the Minister of Culture in Italy’s official third republic of government. He is going through a rough patch. He is unpopular with voters and must beat the polls. He needs a break to come up with fresh ideas. He decides to spend a weekend of total relax, away from the prying public, and in the arms of his lover, Pamela Galanti, a showgirl, who, like Giorgio, needs to propel back into the limelight.
Throughout the movie, every character undergoes a transformation that will shake their beliefs to tipping point, turning them into truly diabolical people.
Unfortunately, things do not go as he had planned. A mysterious character, Enrico Altieri, reappears from the past. He forces the minister to unmask his soul and remember what he has forgotten over the years: He is vulnerable. If only his voters could see him now: It would be a great show, the biggest election campaign in history. The proof that this man does something better than everyone else: Crying in public! "The people want to see you cry. Like in a reality show! "
Many hidden eyes witness the triumph of a sad truth: "Vulgarity pays. And it pays handsomely."
Giorgio reminds the audience that he is an aggressive politician who recognizes the big potential of technology. For this reason, he plots a memorable mise-en-scene that develops on a virtual online stage. Everything that the voyeur audience sees is true simply because it is being shared on social network platforms.
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THE CONCEPT
A society unable to discern what is entertainment from everyday life is a society hurtling dangerously out-of-control. It is impossible to deny that our social standing is dictated by social networks. Our lives have stopped being private within our four walls and have moved into open spaces by the media. Posting a thought online and having the ability to be read and "shared" by other users on the web around the globe… is this freedom of expression on steroids? Definitely. But this freedom is illusory because, in a virtual space, quantity is more important than quality. Today, it is more relevant to “appear to be” rather than to simply be. There are no "people" on this digital platform, but rather, masks. Consent is given by millions of "Likes" that are attributed to "followers", the apostles of the new millennium.
A society unable to distinguish a show from everyday life is an out-of-control society and for this reason, it is dangerous.
We are deluded into thinking we can change things without real action in real life.Giorgio Martini knows this audience intimately and is aware of the explosive power of millions of anonymous followers.
The idea for the film Stay Calm! was conceived from the writers’ need to describe the emerging chaotic society in recent years.
He has no remorse because he knows everyone lies and that only by giving them a mask will they tell the truth!
A society suffering in the aftermath of disruptive internet and mobile technologies combined with social media that mixes fiction and reality, vices and virtues, in a dysfunctional and increasingly toxic hallucinogenic cocktail. iv
STAY CALM! Data Sheet
Tagline: Truth strikes whoever dares to face it
Executive producers: Guido De Angelis e Giangi Foschini
Nationality: Italian
Distribution Company : 102 Distribution
Language: English (Italian dubbing)
International Distribution: Multicom Entertainment Group
Locations: Puglia
Director: Davide Dapporto
Principal Photography: summer 2018
Screenplay: Nunzio Bertolami - Davide Dapporto
Lenght of shooting: 4 weeks
Cinematography: Rocco Marra
Camera: Arri Alexa / Dcp
Editing: Mauro Bonanni
Runtime: 90 min
Costume designer: Luciano Capozzi
Expected budget: Euro 1.450.000
Production designer: Carmine Guarino
Production Company: Gika Productions
Music: Francesco Cerasi
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