Fiore

Public screenings
8^th October 2016 8.45pm at Vue West End
9^th October 2016 6.15pm at Hackney Picturehouse

Director Claudio Giovannesi has created a gritty but romantic tale, Fiore, about teenagers who have had it rough in life, have taken wrong roads and landed in prison. It seems no matter how hard they try, they don’t get much of a break. Daphne (Daphne Scoccia) finds herself in jail for stealing mobile phones at knifepoint, a means of surviving while living on the street. She discovers comfort – and then love – in Josh (Josciua Algeri),  a teen in the adjacent male ward.

Daphne has the tough demeanor of a girl who is hardened; she is a wild child, doing impulsive things like setting fire to her bed, yet she is a gentle innocent at heart. Given an option to live with her father on house arrest, she responds with a childlike happiness, but he refuses, as he has only just been released from prison and lives with his new wife in a small home. Discovering a soul mate in Josh, she finds herself running away with him, against all odds and despite the many trying to stop them. Star-crossed lovers escaping from hostile forces is a theme seen often in fiction and film – perhaps because it happens in life.

As a correction center, the facility portrayed in Fiore appears relatively comfortable, which may not be unrealistic, as the Istituto Penale per i Minori in Rome was used as research for this movie for four months. While not all juvenile detention centers are rough, the inmates are still confined and have little freedom.

Newcomer Scoccia is very talented and has that intangible film presence that charms. She’s a natural performer and illuminates the screen as a tough, streetwise girl with a tender heart. Algeri has a quiet charisma and is an accomplished actor.

Giovannesi’s work is beautifully written and directed. A powerful and moving piece, Fiora is realistic while also being gloriously romantic – it emanates hope.

Catherine Sedgwick

Fiore does not have a UK release date yet.

For further information about the 60^th London Film Festival visit here.

Read more reviews from the festival here.

Watch the trailer for Fiore here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doB1wZOxvzA