Top 200 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2023: #83. Laura Luchetti’s La bella estate

La bella estate

Following her critically acclaimed sophomore feature Twin Flower (world preem at 2018’s TIFF), Laura Luchetti went on to shoot ten episodes of an Italian TV Series called “Nudes.” Next up is another portrait of youth but this time it’s based on a book to film adaptation of the 1950’s novel. The Beautiful Summer stars Deva Cassel in her debut role and the film went into production in September in Italy. Cinematographer Diego Romero Suarez Llanos (Roberto Minervini’s usual dp) joined the project. Giovanni Pompili (Sole) produced the project.

Gist: Set during a “beautiful summer” in Turin in 1938, against the backdrop of Fascist-era Italy’s subsequent entry into World War II. This sees the 18-year-old Deva Cassel as the uninhibited model Amelia. She introduces her younger friend Ginia (Yile Yara Vianello) to a world of bohemian artists where she will fall in love for the first time.

Release Date/Prediction: We’re thinking this is a Venice followed by a TIFF premiere.