Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... Italian cinema

• Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... Eastern European cinema
• Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... Spanish-language cinema
• Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... Scandinavian cinema
• Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... French cinema
• Three to see at LFF 2014 if you like ... Indian and South Asian cinema

The new film from an established director …

The Wonders (Le meraviglie)

The Wonders (2014)

What’s it about?

A family have deliberately ‘exiled’ themselves from modern life in Italy, escaping to the countryside to scratch out an existence from bee-keeping and selling honey. Focusing especially on the eldest daughter, Gelsomina, The Wonders shows how her coming-of-age frustrations lead her to rebel against her limited life and enter the family, in a bizarre TV talent show.

Who made it?

Following her critically acclaimed debut feature, Corpo celeste (LFF 2011), Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher returns with an equally beguiling story, which was critically acclaimed when presented in the official competition section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Wonders is also something of a family affair because, aside from the excellence of its young cast, it features a performance of real sensitivity by the director’s sister, accomplished actor Alba Rohrwacher (also to be seen this year in Saverio Costanzo’s Hungry Hearts).

What’s special about it?

The Wonders palpably fulfils the promise demonstrated in Corpo celeste, with its compelling story, hypnotic filmmaking and unusual atmosphere. Indeed, there is now no doubt that Alice Rohrwacher is a very special filmmaker in the canon of contemporary Italian cinema.

• Buy tickets for The Wonders, screening in the Journey strand

The breakthrough …

I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto quando voglio)

I Can Quit Whenever I Want (2014)

What’s it about?

A kind of comic Breaking Bad, this is about a group of down-on-their-luck Italian university professors, who, frustrated with their dead-end jobs, decide to set up their own lucrative drug dealing business. However, despite their initially wildly successful attempts to sell drugs based on not-yet-illegal ingredients, they manage to run foul of both the police and far more vicious drug-dealing competitors.

Who made it?

This is the first feature from young director Sydney Sibilla, who has made this startlingly accomplished debut following a series of short films.

What’s special about it?

The Salerno-born director handles the material with real aplomb and is aided considerably by his youngish cast, who hitherto have been prominent in comic TV roles and make the most of their big screen opportunity. The hilarious premise, clever satire (the situation of these misfit academics is a real-life one in current contemporary Italian society) and comic set pieces make this one of the outstanding Italian comedies of recent years. It is therefore unsurprising that I Can Quit Whenever I Want is the most popular Italian comedy of the year: it’s a real treat that deserves attention.

• Buy tickets for I Can Quit Whenever I Want, screening in the Laugh strand

The wild card …

Leopardi (Il giovane favoloso)

Leopardi (2014)

What’s it about?

Giacomo Leopardi is one of the most important and influential poets in Italian literary history, whose body of work, produced in the first half of the 19th century, is only just getting wider international recognition, as new translations appear. That’s why this handsomely mounted, scrupulously researched and cinematically staged period biopic of Leopardi’s short life is so welcome.

Who made it?

Director Mario Martone is a highly respected Italian filmmaker, whose career stretches back to the mid-1980s. His credits included a diverse variety of films, television series and documentaries. In recent years, he has had a particular focus on Italian history and his previous movie, We Believed, was also a period drama set in the 19th century, about Italian revolutionaries.

What’s special about it?

The director brings all his filmmaking skill to this little-known (outside of Italy) story of Leopardi, creating a detailed and authentic backdrop to showcase the brilliance of leading actor Elio Germano, who so stunningly embodies the tortured poet. Even if you know nothing about Italian history, literature or politics, this really is worth delving in to, to discover a scintillating depiction of a genuinely groundbreaking poet.

• Buy tickets for Leopardi, screening in the Love strand