The First Beautiful Thing

Online, April 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - PALISADES TARTAN FILMS SET TO RELEASE
'THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING'
AT THE ANGELIKA

Italy′s 2011 Academy Award® Submission for Best Foreign Language Film marks US resurgence of thriving genre in Italy today

Palisades Tartan Films has announced today their plans to open Paolo Virzi's THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING (La Prima Cosa Bella) at the Angelika in New York on April 15th 2011 for a minimum 2-week run. A major box office sensation in Italy and its official selection for Best Foreign film, this beautiful and touching comedic drama was filmed on location in Livorno and stars award-winning actress and acclaimed Italian beauty Micaela Ramazzotti.

"I have personal fondness for Italian commedias, and this film captures its essence while weaving a much relatable story," stated Soumya Sriraman, President and CEO of Tartan. "We are excited to release a film that Italy celebrated and hope that our audiences will embrace Virzi's latest work."

THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING follows a strong and optimistic mother raising her two children against all odds. Throughout grief and pain she teaches her family to remain open and loving and to cherish the little joys in life. Famed Italian director Paolo Virzì has crafted a heartwarming tale filled with unforgettable and emotional true-to-life performances that will make you laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time.

"It has been a moving experience for me to shoot this movie in the city I tried to escape a quarter of a century ago" said Director, Paolo Virzi. "Evidently, I couldn't stay away. Livorno is my own personal stage. It's a city teeming with extraordinary stories of ordinary people that I am excited to tell and put on film. For once with this film, maybe, no social commentary, only the vibrant pieces of my heart."

Italian cinema caused a sensation in the United States over a decade ago when Roberto Benigni won three Oscars for LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. The commedia enjoyed terrific critical and commercial success and Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema said ''This is an honor for Italian cinema and culture." Virzi directed Benigni in CATERINA IN THE BIG CITY (2003).

Last year THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING was a triumph at the Italian box office, as more than 1.2 million people turned out to support the film in theaters. This past November it opened the Cinema Italian Style Film Festival in Los Angeles, where it received a standing ovation. The film will have its official Los Angeles theatrical opening at Laemmle Theatres this May, followed by a wider release across the country.
Italy is a birth place of incredible talent including acclaimed comedic directors Mario Monicelli, Dino Risi and Luigi Comencini. Yet, four years ago director Quentin Tarantino infamously remarked in an interview with Italy's leading weekly Tv Sorrisi e Canzoni that "New Italian cinema is just depressing. Recent films I've seen are all the same."
Virzi however believes that today is a new day. "Italian cinema is definitely progressing" he said. "We've heard from several advance screenings in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles that audience[s] have been sniffling and laughing at the same time. I'm proud of being a part of this surprising renaissance that created a spirit of mutual support among outstanding Italian directors and eagerly await the film's US release as it is my sincere hope that Americans will equally delight in the warmth and beauty of Italian commedias."

THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING was nominated for an impressive 18 David di Donatello Awards (Italy's Academy Awards) and won for Best Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Actor. Director Paolo Virzi was also shortlisted for Best European Director by The European Film Academy this year. Virzi first made a name for himself with his debut feature, LA BELLA VITA, where he won the David di Donatello and Silver Ribbon awards for best new director.

"Virzì is one of the most talented directors working in Italy today and is considered the heir of the commedia all'italiana." Stated Prof Clarissa Clo, SDSU, Program Director of the San Diego Italian Film Festival, which held a Virzi retrospective in 2009.

ABOUT PAOLO VIRZI AND ITALIAN COMMEDIA (as stated by MOMA during the Virzi retrospective in 2008)
Paolo Virzi taps into the vintage spirit of Italy's beloved commedia all'italiana genre with features that deliver a special combination of compassionate laughter and social critique. With a light but assured touch, Virzi and his regular writing partner Francesco Bruni have skewered contemporary mores and social behavior while gracefully balancing large ensemble casts-ranging from Italy's finest actors to energetic and talented unknowns. That the satire never loses genuine compassion for characters haplessly in thrall to their own follies is a trademark of Virzi's delightful comedies.

ABOUT PALISADES TARTAN
Palisades Tartan has emerged as one of the premier distributors of independent and arthouse cinema in the US and UK and has been on the forefront of consumer trends. Straddling both continents, their film line-up boasts an impressive repertoire in the UK including the Ingmar Bergman library, Wong Kar Wai's 2046 and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Apart from many favorites such as Michael Winterbottom's 9 SONGS and Carlos Reygadas's SILENT LIGHT, the library is anchored by Park Chan-wook's Cannes jury prize winner, OLDBOY, the film that famously introduced the Western World to the Asia Extreme brand.

Tartan Films was originally founded in 1984 in the UK and is credited with bringing Asian Extreme film to the West as well as some of the most compelling art house films of the last quarter century. In May 2008, Palisades Pictures acquired Tartan Films US library assets and two months later, acquired a majority of Tartan Films UK's film library assets. The new company Palisades Tartan has operations both nationally and internationally.

Palisades Tartan will continue to expand an already distinctive and provocative slate of films by focusing on quality film acquisitions, thus significantly increasing the size of their overall library in both territories. Palisades Pictures and its parent company Palisades Media Corp is a prestigious financier of print & advertising for the independent film market. Together with its affiliate, Palisades Media Asset Fund, Palisades has securitized and financed more than 550 films. www.PalisadesTartan.com

For further information, please contact:
Debbi Berlin
Palisades Tartan, (323) 528-2352
[email protected]

Susan Senk (New York)
Susan Senk PR, (212) 876-5948
[email protected]