IL PARADISO DEL PAVONE (THE PEACOCK’S PARADISE)

Italy, Germany 2021 - DCP - 89 minutes, in Italian with English subtitles

Director: Laura Bispuri

Screenplay: Laura Bispuri, Silvana Tamma

Producers: Marta Donzelli, Gregorio Paonessa

Cast: Dominique Sanda, Alba Rohrwacher, Maya Sansa

Print Courtesy: The Match Factory

MIFF Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Dominique Sanda is the family matriarch in this warm and spirited new Italian film, returning to the cinematic country of some of her greatest triumphs: Italy. On a cold winter day, Nena’s family reunites in their house by the sea to celebrate her birthday. Everybody is there: her husband Umberto, their children Vito and Caterina, cousin Isabella, their daughter-in-law Adelina, Caterina’s ex Manfredi with his new girlfriend Joana, their granddaughters Alma, Lucia the maid and her daughter Grazia. Finally, there is Paco, Alma’s peacock, who surprisingly falls in love with a little painted dove. This is an impossible love that will perhaps force the whole family to reckon with their own feelings. It’s a day to spread her wings for the wise Nena and, eventually, for the beautiful peacock, but not necessarily for the rest of the family in director Laura Bispelli’s absorbing drama. —Ken Eisen Sponsored by Judy and John Bielecki

Eastern U.S. Premiere

Wednesday, July 13 6:15 P.M. | RR2

Saturday, July 16 9:00 P.M. | RR3