Tornatore Goes Epic With ‘Baaria’

Italo maestro Giuseppe Tornatore returns to the Croisette in
Cannes with the
multi-generational epic Baaria. The currently unfinished $30 million Quinta /
Medusa co-production will be shopped around to foreign distributors at the
market for a 2009 release.

Details about the picture are scarce with both the filmmaker
and producers keeping things under wraps. Presently shooting in Tunis for the director’s native Bagheria,
the film reportedly follows the denizens of the small Sicillian village,
particularly one couple, from 1930 to 1970. Interestingly, Variety reports that
a massive 200 characters appear in the film. Whether that number entails
significant roles or mostly extras to fill out the community is yet to be seen.
If that number is indeed accurate, producer Giampaolo Letta’s
claim that the film echoes Tornatore’s much-loved classic Cinema Paradiso “albeit
on a grander scale” may just have some merit.

The film features an all-star cast of Italian stars
including the always outstanding Monica Bellucci (Irreversible), Raoul Bova
(Facing Window), and Enrico Lo Verso (13 Roses). If that weren’t enough, no
less than Ennio Morricone himself will be scoring the picture – his ninth
collaboration with Tornatore. My ears are already a twitch!