Marcello Marcello to Open 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 11, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival | 
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The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will kick-off with the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia’s “Marcello Marcello”: A heart-warming romantic comedy that follows a teen boy’s frantic adventure to find a gift for the father of a beautiful young woman he adores. “Marcello Marcello” will screen at the Opening Night of the California Central Valley’s biggest film festival, beginning at 7:00PM on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the historic Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre (242 E. Main St. Stockton CA, 95202, USA).
At 7:00PM, follow the red carpet to an extraordinary evening with: a special compilation of clips from SJIFF2 films; presentation of prizes to award-winning films of SJIFF2 selected by a distinguished jury; the Opening short film “Para Asia” (USA Premiere) by Spanish-Singaporean director Fran Borgia; and the presence of celebrated filmmakers and innovators from around the world - all leading up to the Northern California Premiere of “Marcello Marcello.”
At 9:30PM proceed to the theatre’s mezzanine for a Mediterranean-inspired night of glitz, glamour, and glorious times at the annual “With the Stars” Opening Night Party. Experience festive live music, dance and entertainment. Savor a collection of scrumptious international cuisine, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails from Downtown Stockton restaurants - paired with the finest wine from vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.
ABOUT “MARCELLO MARCELLO”
Marcello Marcello (2008): Based on an original novel entitled Marcello’s Date by British-born musician and author Mark David Hatwood. “The setting is Italy, 1956. In the picturesque island of Amatrello, a unique custom keeps the young men of the village busy: when a girl turns eighteen, every boy is invited to bring a gift for her first date. However the gift is not for the girl, but for the father… who will ultimately determine which boy takes her on her first rendez-vous! Eighteen-year-old fisherman’s son Marcello does not care about this tradition until he sets eyes on the enchanting Elena, the daughter of the Mayor, who has returned to the island and - according to the tradition - has come of age. As time runs out and competition rises, Marcello comes up with the perfect gift for the Mayor. But getting that gift isn’t easy… Soon, he is forced to barter with the entire village, as everyone seems to want something from someone else… Marcello’s frantic quest ensues, evolving into a process of reconciliation among the village’s inhabitants.” (C-Films Production, Switzerland, Germany, Italy; In Italian with English Subtitles)
“Marcello Marcello” held its World Premiere in front of 8,000 spectators on August 12, 2008 at the breathtaking open-sky Piazza Grande cinema of the 61st Locarno International Film Festival, one of the world’s leading film festivals, held in Switzerland. The film went on to receive theatrical release across Switzerland in October 2008. In January 2009, it made its North American Premiere at the prestigious 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it was among the Best of Fest selections. Recently, the film made its East Coast Premiere at the 18th Philadelphia Film Festival. The Opening Night screening of “Marcello Marcello” at SJIFF2 in Stockton will be the film’s first presentation to an audience in Northern California.
ABOUT DIRECTOR DENIS RABAGLIA
Italian-Swiss director Denis Rabaglia, born in 1966, has been making short and medium-length films since he was 15 years old. A well-known director for the big and small screens, he has made two comedies for Swiss television: Grossesse Nerveuse (1994) with Tom Novembre and Patrick Braoudé, which won him the Prix Max Ophüls, and Pas de Panique (2007), with Frédéric Diefenthal and Roland Giraud, which took the Best Swiss TV Film prize at the Geneva Cinéma Tout Ecran. With theatrical feature films, he has directed: Azzurro (2001), which was a popular success worldwide and garnered numerous prizes, including Best Swiss Fiction Film. His latest feature work is Marcello Marcello (2008).
After 1,200 auditions for the cast of Marcello Marcello, Director Denis Rabaglia selected professional actor Francesco Mistichelli from Pescara, Italy, who took extensive vocal training to master the Neapolitan accent as needed for the film.
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2) runs May 14 to 23, 2009 in various venues across the city of Stockton, California, and will feature over 120 films from 40 countries.