It should come as no surprise that the beautiful region of Tuscany has been used as a backdrop by many film producers since the beginning of the 1900s: from Romola (directed by King Henry, 1924), a silent film set in Florence and based on George Eliot’s novel of the same title, to the renowned A Room with a View (James Ivory, 1985) with scenes in and around Florence. Other favourite locations include the Val d’Orcia, Siena and Pisa’s piazza dei Miracoli.
Over the next few months, six new films will be shot in Tuscany thanks to the Fondo Cinema della Regione Toscana, a regional fund that provides support for young filmmakers. One of these young talents is Alice Rohrwacher, a promising director who already won the Ciak d’oro, among other awards, for her directorial debut Corpo Celeste (2011). Her latest film, Le Meraviglie, depicts scenes set in the ancient medieval hilltop town of Sorano and nearby areas as well as in the spa town of Bagni San Filippo, near Siena. With Monica Bellucci in the leading role, Le Meraviglie is tipped to be a huge success.
The eagerly anticipated film by Michael Winterbottom, The Face of an Angel, is loosely based on the controversial case of the American student, Amanda Knox, who will be retried for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher at this end of this month in Florence. The trial date, set for September 30, coincides with the starting date for shooting in the Siena region. No cast details have yet been announced, but a star-studded ensemble has been guaranteed.
Funding has also been granted for the production of the fictional television film series 99 amori by Stefano Amatucci. The 12 episodes, each 50 minutes long, are set at the Bagno Piero in Forte dei Marmi and tell the story of the Pea family, who run the baths. Ornella Muti stars as the charming yet determined single mother of three in this series about love and friendship.
In 2014, cinema screens will see director Elisabetta Rocchetti return with her film Il Velo di Maya and will also welcome Rolando Colla back to Tuscany to direct his latest motion picture, Seven Days. Florence-born director, Cinzia TH Torrini, is also currently working on A Chi Tocca Tocca; a film based on Rocco Fortunato’s book, I Reni di Mick Jagger.
In collaboration with the Toscana Film Commission, the American Pacific Film Commission is currently in Lucca filming The Good Giants. This documentary tells the true story of a group of African American ‘Buffalo’ Soldiers of World War II who return to Tuscany to retrace their wartime memories.
Last year, a stormy setting in the Tuscan countryside was the backdrop for a short documentary film from the American Josh Gibson, illustrating the relationship of food, tradition and modernity.
The beautiful cinematography in Light Plate (2012) highlights Tuscany’s myriad charms. According to the Toscana Film Commission, ‘If ever there were a place where cinema was at home, it would be in Tuscany.’ Judging by the rich cinema history and the line-up of exciting new films set in this picturesque region, the commission is spot on.
