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IL
GIORNALE - PRESS RELEASE IN ROME - ITALY
By Carlo Altoviti 10th Nov.2001
‘Tentazioni Metropolitane’ (‘Jailbirds’) holds
Rebibbia prison and art critic Sgarbi spellbound.
On Friday evening the film was shown at Rebibbia prison to three
hundred people. Sgarbi was one of the guests. On Friday evening
a very special audience inside the new wing of the Rebibbia prison
watched ‘Tentazioni Metropolitane’, written, directed
and played by Gianna Maria Garbelli. Over 350 people consisting
of prisoners, warders, journalists and cultural and political figures
came to watch the film that was made in 1997 and which is set in
Milan. The film deals with a young woman who ends up in prison for
drug pushing. After the Gozzini law is passed she is able to leave
prison. After years of imprisonment 24 hours a day she still has
to return to prison each evening to sleep but is able to go back
to work. The law has opened the doors of prison to this young pusher
to enable her to work and become just one of the crowd without any
visible sign of infamy. Despite being a ‘budget’ film
it stars many distinguished actors. Annie Girardot’s performance
as the con’s mother stands out. Friday’s showing was also
attended by Parliamentary Under-secretaries Vittorio Sgarbi and
Nicola Bono, who were both very impressed by the film. As were the
many prisoners who saw it, who were affected by the film’s
emotional impact. Sgarbi did not miss the chance to remark on the
failure to televise the film despite. ‘I hope’, said Sgarbi,
who was clearly moved at the end of the showing, ‘that the
film will soon be shown on state-owned channels.’ The showing
at Rebibbia was just the last stage of a long journey for ‘Tentazioni
Metropolitane’. It has been widely acclaimed over the last
three years, starting with the Venice Festival, where it was presented
in the section ‘Panorama Italiano’. Amongst the prizes
and awards that it has won we should mention the Best Film award
at the Festival de Annecy, the Best Screenplay award at the Alexandria
Film Festival, and the Best First Film award at the San Francisco
Film Festival. Whilst waiting for RAI to take ‘Tentazioni Metropolitane’
out of its wraps Garbelli has started work on a new project. ‘It’s
a film about boxing’, explained the actress-director. ‘This
is an activity that I can’t help feeling strongly about because
I’m the daughter and granddaughter of two Italian boxing champions.
In the 60s my father actually won the World Welterweight Title.
Kubrick and Scorsese have made a lot of films about boxing, but
the topic has not been properly exploited addressed here in Italy.’
IL
MANIFESTO - PRESS RELEASE IN ROME - ITALY
by Silvana Silvestri
Rome 10th Nov.2001
‘Tentazioni Metropolitane’ (‘Jailbirds’) half-way
to release Gianna Garbelli’s film shown to the prisoners in Rome’s
Rebibbia prison. Showing ‘Tentazioni
Metropolitane’ in Rebibbia prison was a special event. This film
by Gianna Garbelli was selected for the Pontecorvo Section of the
Venice Festival and after being shown in a great many countries, first
Europe and then just recently in Los Angeles and America it has come
back to Italy to a special prison audience (it was bought by RAI but
has never been broadcast). The film is set in Milan’s Opera and
San Vittore prisons and tells the story of a prisoner, Alessandra,
who is allowed to leave prison during the day, and of her burning
desire to lead a normal life again. The film is full of emotions and
is an actor’s film that is close to the prison genre. But it
also melodramatic with flashes of seventies’ styles erotic comedy.
It was directed and produced by Gianna Garbelli, (the other main actors
were Fiorenza Marcheggiani portraying the loneliness of a terrorist
which the Italian cinema has not probed, Annie Girardot and Maurizio
Donadoni). She got the idea when she met a girl in a bar at eight
o’clock in the morning who was dressed up in party clothes to
celebrate her first day of freedom. A magnificent personality who
was full of hope. The film was shot in Milanese prisons and concentrates
on the physical nature of emotions in order to involve the audience.
It works perhaps unconsciously on the genre and above all depicts
the prisoner’s energy in getting back on her feet despite repeated
unfortunate experiences and rejections. The criteria that were followed
when selecting the audience are not clear (there were nine female
prisoners whilst the rest were male prisoners from Men’s prison
in which the cinema is located) but they reacted very enthusiastically
to the film, as was shown by the experiences about which they talked
at the end of the showing and by the audience reactions during the
film which recalled cinemas as they used to be: encouragement of the
characters, sighs and comparisons, all very discreet. Luigi Giannelli,
Chief Inspector and cinema enthusiast, gave us this information. He
has been involved with all these initiatives (and has often taken
part in the shoots). He told us that six film operators have been
trained at Rebibbia. The auditorium seats about three hundred and
plays, musicals and also projections of video films have been shown
there. We asked if it was not a bit much to show films on prisons
to the prisoners but they replied that it was probably the best place
and the audience’s reactions proved this. They mentioned that
it would be nice to have films in the original language for foreign
prisoners. The guests included Parliamentary Under-secretaries (Vittorio
Sgarbi, who is at home in prison, and Nicola Bono) who used the occasion
to make a bit of propaganda, Alain Elkan, Blasco Giurato, Director
of Photography and the many sporting journalists who are fans of the
director who is the granddaughter and daughter of boxing champions,
was herself a junior pentathlon champion and is working on a film
on boxing.
IL GIORNO
- PRESS RELEASE IN NEW YORK
Gianluca Zavatta 16th Oct. 2001
Personalities/The director Garbelli from Milan to the States with
a winning film.
'Gianna Garbelli's dynamism and radiance literally entranced the audience'
was Barry Chaitin's spontaneous reaction after 'Jailbirds' shown in
Palm Springs. ‘I would also have like directors and distributors
to have been there, beside the warm audience of the 13 Annual meeting
of the American Psychiatry Association. They would have been knocked
out by the film’ was Gianna Maria Garbelli’s satisfied and
slightly bitter comment. Milan born and bred, the good-looking, young
and enterprising Gianna has won her bet. She has won a host of awards,
prizes and box-office successes for her first film. And she has even
broken into the difficult and closed American market. This time last
year ‘Jailbirds’, as the English version of ‘Tentazioni
Metropolitane’ is known, was shown in about thirty cinemas. ‘I
couldn’t be happier,’ Gianna said between one plane and
another before returning to Italy. ‘Since the Venice Festival,
where it was shown for the first time, I haven’t stopped once.’
Her film has been shown in places as far apart as Egypt, Germany,
Spain, the United States, and her home town, Milan. ‘I always
take my town with me wherever I go and I like to think that the audience
will also appreciate Milan in addition to the film’ Gianna proudly
remarks. Milan City Hall was in fact probably the first to believe
in her project. This sponsorship was vital for starting shooting.
Gianna (see photograph) can claim to have done everything by herself.
She wrote, produced and directed it and acted in it. ‘It has
really been the work of a young Milan filmmaker’ remarks Alfonso
Arau, the director of ‘Come l’acqua per il cioccolato’.
At the New York premiere he called ‘Jailbirds’ ‘a mature
first film that is full of energy and humanity.’ The Los Angeles
Times called it ‘a modern melodrama that provides full scope
for the many talents of Garbelli, the author, director and actress.’‘Despite
the international recognition there’s still one thing I want
to do’ says Gianna, raising her voice a little. ‘RAI has
bought the rights but it still hasn’t shown the film on prime
time. They’ve put me on ice. I’ve taken it all around the
world but I’m still unable to reach the Italian public via television.
It’s not fair.’ One has to agree with Gianna. Perhaps the
CEO of RAI can give her the response she is looking for. In the meantime
‘Tentazioni Metropolitane’ will be shown on 26 October in
Rebibbia prison, Rome and on 4 November Gianna is flying to Toledo
to open a film festival. ‘Between one trip and the next I’m
working on my new project. A film about my father and grandfather
and the world of boxing. It’s going to be called ‘Il Combattente’
(An Italian Fighter'). With her usual energy Gianna is trying to put
together an international production. It is bound to be a success
for her, and our city, Milan. A difficult story of pain and escape.
New York. Alexandra Albani, played by Gianna Maria Garbelli leaves
Opera prison after serving a 7-year sentence for drug dealing.But
every evening she has to go back to a cell in San Vittore prison.
Her dream is to spread her wings again and create a new life for herself.
But she is faced with a host of obstacles, betrayals, distrust and
temptations. ‘This film is intended as a metaphor: what Alessandra
the prisoner achieves is what each one of us sets out to achieve in
life,’ Gianna explains. Recurring themes include a lesbian relationship
with the former terrorist Marina (played by Fiorenza Marcheggiani)
to drugs. The film is set in the flashily prosperous Milan of the
90s. Says Gianna: ‘I think that the film is still relevant because
it addresses topics that are always relevant like prison, the family,
terrorism and the social problems connected with the rehabilitation
of offenders.’
BRADFORD-
UK FILM FESTIVAL
PRESS RELEASE IN BRADFORD- UK FILM FESTIVAL
MARCH 2001
EXCITED - INTRIGUED "Garbelli turns in a remarkable performance
in her debut film as director/star - an urban fairytale with more
than a hint of Pretty Woman as she strives to re-build her life. (BL)
The Shine Awards for best new European director have attracted 14
great films that promise much more for the future of the industry.
ANSA- ITALY MARCH 2000
Cinema: italian first feature film found a distributor
in usa (italian press agency ) (ansa)- new york,29 mar - an italian
director gianna maria garbelli at her first feature film founds the
way in us where will be screening in at least 10 town. "tentazioni
metropolitane" has been first presented at mostra del cinema
in venezia. Tells the story of a young woman who has been paroled
after serving seven years in prison for international drug trafficking
and who is required as part of a work-release program to return to
jail nightly for a period of three years. There is an agreement with
the distribution said the director in new york. The agreement with
vanguard that will release the feature film in original version with
subtitled in english and titled "jailbirds"- will be sign
in the next few days , exactly when the distributors will find the
date of the release, "could be in autmn". It's almost impossible
that an italian feature film find a distribution in the hollywood
's country. Alfonso arau the mexican director that in us was a big
hit with his "like the water for the chocolate", sayd about
"tentazioni metropolitane" a rare "first feature film
so mature: full of energy and humanity and now that will have the
opportunity to be seen in us will convince the audience as convinced
me and the critics. Los angeles times- kevin thomas: " ...gianna
maria garbelli has created an absorbing contemporary melodrama that's
shows her talents to good advantage...writer, director, actress. (ANSA)
Paolo Accolla
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Screening Room -by
KEVIN THOMAS "GARBELLI HAS A TERRIFIC SCREEN PRESENCE... IS
ABSORBING... "
PRISON VIEW: With "JAILBIRDS" (Sunset 5, Saturdays and
Sundays at 11:00am) writer-director-actress Gianna Maria Garbelli
has created an absorbing contemporary melodrama that shows her varied
talents to good advantage. Garbelli casts herself as a sexy, vibrant
young woman who has been paroled after serving seven years for international
drug trafficking but who is required to return every night by 10 to
a cell in a central Milan Prison for the next three years. "
JAILBIRDS " has aptly been compared to " Straight Time "
in its depiction of an ex-convict struggling to go straight in the
face of considerable pressures to do otherwise. Garbelli has a terrific
screen presence. Annie Girardot is equally effective as her staunch
mother, her only true mainstay. Although a little long at 110 minutes
- the film seems to have been made in two parts for Italian TV - "JAILBIRDS"
is the kind of film usually slotted into a regular run.
USA TODAY
by SEAN O'NEILL "A SENSITIVE CHARACTER
STUDY FROM GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI" Los Angeles, " JAILBIRDS
" is not a bad little film, and Garbelli acquits herself well
as a triple threat. Aside from a few cultural differences (Federico's
first words to Ale are"Nice ass," and rather than slapping
him, she smiles and says, " I haven't heard that in a while"),
the film is a natural enough fit for most of the American audience.
Except, that is, for Joe Bob and Co. To them , a surefire T&A
fest that's turns into a sensitive character study is going to feel
like being with a girl who does her best to turn you on and then won't
go all the way.
READER
by ANDY KLEIN "A COMPELLING WORK&
" Los Angeles, "
JAILBIRDS" A brief excursion into pharmacogenic surrealism is
embarrassing. But, despite these cavils and the familiarity of the
material, " JAILBIRDS " remains a compelling work.
13th WINE
COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL
by STEPHEN ASHTON
A brilliant young actor-director-writer-producer, Gianna Maria Garbelli,
brings her human and moving story of Alexandra from Venice Film Festival
acclaimed feature film "JAILBIRDS" (TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE)
for it's North American Premiere.
FREE LANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO
by MARY IANNICHERI (free lance journalist)
'JAILBIRDS' 'TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE' feature film Last night I saw
the USA Premiere of an independent feature that was the most powerful
film I have seen this year. 'Jailbirds' or "Tentazioni Metropolitane'
is an Italian full-length feature film written, directed, produced
and expertly acted by Gianna Maria Garbelli. Its eye-opening message
is as unique as its author. With courage and style it sends a message
of hope and strength of the human spirit. Th plot keeps you glued
to the screen, the heroine Alessandra - played by Garbelli - has charm
and lust for life that makes you love her immediately. The cinematography
knocked my socks off. The music was simply wonderful. It is no wonder
that it would take an independent to portray such a strong and uncompromising
story. I highly recommend it for the thinking audiences. The premiere
was hosted by Wine Country Film Festival, shown outdoors, here in
the Valley of the Moon, at Jack London State Park. Attendance was
very good and hall had many positive observations that had conservation
going late into the night. The Italian Console General, Sebastiano
Salvatori, introduced by Gianna after the film said very well 'for
one so young to send a message is amazing. She succeeds in turning
the tragic occurrences and experiences of this girl into a positive
message that 'you can redeem yourself'. The story, acting and music
were both powerful and beautiful. Conversation revolved around the
many shocking scenes that each of us related to in our own way. They
keep re-appearing in my mind to day, some invoking goosebumps, some
tears. One scene in particular, the paranoid drug nightmare was haunting
and very real. The nudity was not the usual grandstanding you see
in American films, but was relative to the story in the most artistic
way. For anyone to hold the attention and emphaty of an audience single
- handedly in the way she did with her character and story was nothing
short of amazing. The story tells that it doesn't matter how or why
you fall down, but how you pick yourself back up that really matters.
I was honored to meet with Ms. Garbelli after the film and my impression
were that she, like the character, is a person of incredible character.
A dynamo, a star, a person with such joy and determination that is
contagious. I am sure she will be successful in her ventures in Los
Angeles in a special evening at The Italian Culture Institute, probably
get discovered by one of the big studios, but I do know that she will
not be stopped.
And today August 15th 1999 by Mary IANNICHERI
The awards ceremony last night also provided quite suspense with the
movie "JAILBIRDS" or 'TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE' TAKING TWO
AWARDS BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST FEATURE FILM AND THE BEST ACTRESS
FOR GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI. United States debuted is sponsored by Town
Council of Milano and Olympia photo-publisher. Ms. Garbelli who made
a quite an impression with her war demeanor and stunning star presence.
The 13 annual Wine Country Film Festival was success and tribute to
Mr. Borgnine contribution to Cinema and Theatre.
AT THE PRESENTATION OF HER FIRST FEATURE FILM "TENTAZIONI
METROPOLITANE" IN LOS ANGELES, Gianna had a nice surprise
in a public audience: Mr. CARLO RAMBALDI (in the photo in his laboratory
in Reseda - California- -3 times Oscar Winner for Special Visual Effects
-KING KONG - ALIEN - ET. He was impressed by the talent of Gianna
so he introduce her to the Hollywood people in the business. He admired
Gianna and he is convinced that the film of Gianna deserve to be submitted
to represent her country to the Academy Awards, at least as Best Foreign
film.
AMERICA OGGI/ MAGAZINE whit
LA REPUBBLICA CINEMA
GIANNA'S COURAGE strap:'JAILBIRDS,' Gianna Maria
Garbelli's first film, will come out in the US this autumn, bringing
to audiences there the joie de vivre, determination and courage, both
on the screen and off, of a young Italian film-maker. NY, 9 APRILE
2000 by Francesca Guerrini. THIS
is a film not only about prison and trafficking in drugs, but also
semi-freedom and the re-establishment into society of those who have
done time in jail. Both are actual enough themes in Italy as well
as the US. With the Gozzini Law's provisions for day-release, and
the row about crimes committed by detainees on parole, they monopolise
the political juridical debate. Such sensitive topics to be found
in this film, which was not only written, but also directed and interpreted
by the Milanese Gianna Maria Garbelli, have struck a distinct chord
with Americans, to an extent that it will be distributed in the US
in the autumn. "It is not a political film, it is a film about
hope and a will to live," Gianna Maria Garbelli explains as she
sits in a café in New York's Times Square. "It is about
a woman who has energy and passion." 'Tentazioni Metropolitane-Jailbirds'
recounts the story of Alessandra Albani. After serving seven years
in prison for drug dealing, she obtains semi-freedom on a day-release
scheme as a result of Italy's Legge Gozzini (the Gozzini Law). Thanks
to the scheme, each morning, Alessandra leaves the Opera prison, on
Milan's outskirts, only to return in the evening. But although she
is impatient to begin living again, and to make new friends and to
forget her past, Alessandra's happiness does not last very long. Outside
the bars of her prison, not only will she have to begin coping with
temptation, but also delusion, bitterness and the diffidence of those
who do not believe in detainees being allowed to go free on day release.
That a first work should have reached the US distribution network
does not happen every day, and Gianna is one barely able to conceal
her joy and satisfaction at such a coup. "I did everything on
my own," the young woman who studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre
Institute and who is a associate member of the legendary Actors' Studio,
said. "I wrote, directed and acted," Gianna said. "I
bent over backwards to get the funding. And I convinced both the troupe
and the cast, which includes Annie Girardot in the role of the mother,
of the worthiness of our cause." "But I also followed the
film around the world to different festivals. And now I can say I'm
truly happy, also since in the meantime, I have begun thinking about
my next project." Gianna resembles a river of words, energy,
and the courage and the will to achieve the impossible, which is now
in full flood. "I'm running around between California, New York,
Cannes and Milano like a headless chicken," she said, adding
with an infectious laugh: "It's just as well that I'm in good
health." The only true source of bitterness for this women who
has a solid background in television and theatre, is the fact that
the film which was bought by RAI (for television) continues to languish
in its film library, in wait of goodness only knows what. "When
the Americans ask me for the viewing ratings of the film,"Gianna
Garbelli says, "I say that the RAI has still not broadcast it
because it only bought the rights three months ago." "Obviously
I can't tell them that it's really been three YEARS. Three years I
tell you! I'm ashamed to explain that Italian (state) TV goes and
buys with public money rights to show a film, which it then doesn't
bother to even put on the air." If Italy has indeed turned its
back on its own talent, then America at least is certainly not showing
any signs of hesitatation in welcoming it. And so Gianna's film has
left the (canals of the) Navigli in order to dock in Hollywood, where
the heads of Vanguard, the distribution house that has one eye trained
on indy films, has wasted little time offering a contract. Determination
such as Gianna's recalls that of the main character in her film, whose
ending is happy, she says, because "I'm positive, and an optimist."
"The character of Alessandra was like an apparition," explained
the woman director, who recently presented the film at the Casa Italiana
of NYU. She added: "One morning I was in a bar in Milano, along
the Navigli, and at a certain point in walks this girl who is very
pretty and very conspicuous, and who is made up to kill and with incredible
high heels, and who begins wolfing down one croissant after another...
"You couldn't help noticing her," Gianna Garbelli added.
"We got talking, and she told me that this was her first morning
of semi-freedom from prison. There and then, bam, I thought, what
a start to a story this woman could be, and what an incredible character."
And so Gianna began to interview prison directors, guards, inmates,
lawyers and social workers in a bid to gather material for her film.
The research work brought her into contact with hard luck and violent
stories which often had a tragic ending, but which never succeeded
in eroding away her enthusiasm. And her courage has now begun paying
dividends. The American public will see the story of Alessandra, a
Jailbird-ess on day-release, who does not give up trying to build
for herself a new life. But by doing so they will also see a film
about Gianna, who is strong, direct and solare. The title ought to
be: "Two stories, the same film, and an enormous amount of courage."
LA
REPUBBLICA
ROMA - ITALY SHOTTING IN MILANO , LOCATED INSIDE
THE REAL PRISON IN OPERA (village close to Milano) and SAN VITTORE
(real prison in Milano) "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE" IT'S
WRITTEN, DIRECTED, ACTED ALL TOGHETER FOR THE FIRST TIME by GIANNA
MARIA GARBELLI. WILL BE PRESENT IN VENEZIA; IN "PANORAMA ITALIANO".
ANNIE GIRARDOT in the CAST ALE, EX PRISONER LOOKING FOR LOVE A STORY
OF A GIRL IN WORK FURLOUGH ROMA, by MARIA PIA FUSCO
A story of a girl (Ale), in half-freedom. After seven years sentence
for drug trafficking, thanks to the Gozzini law, she gets out to work
outside and came back in the cell at 10.00pm, when she must came back
in the prison of San Vittore. This is the story of "TENTAZIONI
METROPOLITANE", a film, unusual in Italy, written, directed,
acted by a woman , Gianna Maria Garbelli, and if is not enough was
also produced by herself. Born in Varese, grow up in Milano, a few
years at the Actor's Studio in New York, actress in theatre and TV,
Garbelli find the idea of the film 3 years ago when a morning "at
Triestino's Bar on the Navigli, a girl with a lot of make-up on, high
hill, mini-skirts, sock and top made with lace very sensual attractive,
she was smoking, very nervous, she was moving her self agitated, since
when a terrible thigh happen she broken by accident her sock. She
was destroyed. She was so tender. I asked her where she was coming
from, so agitated:" was her first day of half-freedom , she was
in work furlough" Very impressed by the meeting by chance, Garbelli
starts to document her self to search al the test, in the same situation
of the girl. "& people that paid with the law, but still
have to pay with the society" While this girl tries to re-build
new life, she is confronted with betrayal, mistrust, temptation and
revenge. She try desperately. I do believe than for the woman is more
difficult that for the man. There is a great little poem that has
been signal to her from an ex-terrorist - red brigade- that she interviewed:
Alberto one of the a lot of persons she interviewed that appears on
the beginning of the film and has a lot of meaning: "They condemned
me, they throw me in prison, they re-socialized me. Every thigh is
so perfect. But, there is anyone out there that is ready for me?"
Very often the cinema, tell story about the victims, I was looking
for someone that was in a wrong way. Alessandra she did a big mistake
without any justify, she came from a middle class family. But Milano
in that time was believing in the easy money "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE"
it's not a political film. It's hard because the thematic it's strong,
because an addictive dies with a pencil in her feet. The nudity it's
mortification. But is also a terrific story about emotions. I used
the "slow motion" to show the exit from the jail to play
long the happiness of Alessandra getting out of prison. With the energy
of Alessandra I want give a positive message, a chance, an hope, why
not. Thanks to my brother Alberto I could have the great collaboration
of good composer -Robert Mouyren. The energy belongs to Gianna Maria
Garbelli, she has tenancy, talks directly and she is simpatico.
LA REPUBBLICA - VENEZIA - ITALY THE TALENTED GARBELLI TELLS A STORY
WITH PUNCHS OF EMOTIONS by PAOLO D'AGOSTINI
Well done and with personality, with a strength that may the author
is not able yet to dominate. This is the first feature film from the
idea, to the write, direct, and act by Gianna Maria Garbelli. The
bent also the talent of Garbelli tells a story with punches of emotions,
directly, trough a melodrama, with rhythm without being in between.
Most of the character that she meets, almost everyone she fins in
her way: the family (Annie Giradot) the mother courage; the cell-mate
ex- terrorist that get in love with her, (but there isn't anything
else (Fiorenza Marcheggiani), but the most important the pharmacist
(Maurizio Donadoni) that could be the new page , but that is a delusion:
when she said the true. No bad the final to resolve the point of view
of the "conformist" that may be yes, may be not, he tried
to be the prince of this Padana Cinderella. Parla Gianna Maria Garbelli,
il volto nuovo del Cinema Italiano
IL GIORNO
ITALY A NEW DISCOVERY THE DIRECTOR GARBELLI
Venezia, MORANDO MORANDINI
The debut of the Milanese Gianna Maria Garbelli: she did everything
by herself. She not just written, directed and acted the main role,
but she also produced even organized the shooting to find the approval
of the Minister of Justice in Milano. It's the story of a young woman
that gets out from Opera's prison, after a sentence of seven years
of trafficking. , "Tentazioni Metropolitane" has a unique
quality in the to day Italian Cinema: the energy. It's generous, instinctive,
determined, open to the life as his character, supported by an energetic
and anxiety rhythm: the police control. Disgusting as the thematic
and the locations requires. Tell to us the story that is open to the
hope: it's a story of someone that made it IL GIORNO - ITALY THE DRUMS
IN VENEZIA ROOLED JUST FOR THE " COMBATIVE BABE" AS GIANNA
MARIA GARBELLI VENEZIA, MARIO NICOLAO Seems already over the season
of the Italian actress, neurotic and rachitic, with big eyes, luminous,
inexpressive like a dumb. THE DRUMS IN VENEZIA ROOLS JUST FOR THE
" COMBATIVE BABE" AS GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI with 'strong'
voice and look, that can make you think about shamelessness, but alive
and not to fold in itself , like same poor in idea of a few black
and gray , that was the waves the Italian young Cinema. (sorry for
Margherita Buy and the "Capostazione).
ITALY DIRECTED, WRITTEN AND ACTED REALLY A POKER WINNER REGIA,
SCENEGGIATURA, INTERPRETAZIONE,DAVVERO UN ASSO PIGLIATUTTO
The debuts of the Milanese, revealed rhythm, intuition and sure hand.
Milano, ADELAIDE MURGIA, From "Panorama Italiano" to the
Theatre De Amicis "Tentazioni Metropolitane" by Gianna Maria
Garbelli devoted in a thematic up-to-date as the difficult for an
ex-prisoner to re-build her social life, she is confronted with the
reality of betrayal, mistrust an revenge from family, friend people
that she met in her way out. This is the case of the Alessandra (played
from the director) that has been in jail after 7 years of sentence
for drugs trafficking. She obtains the half-freedom that let her work
during the day and came back in the cell in the night, that's what
is about the Gozzini law. The relationship with the ex-terrorist is
an interesting intrigue. In cast Fiorenza Marcheggiani, Rosalina Neri,
Dario D'Ambrosi, Annie Girardot. Garbelli's feature film was acclaimed
at the Lido in Venezia. The debuts of the Milanese, revealed rhythm,
intuition and sure hand.
ITALY GARBELLI THE REVELATION THERE IS BOXING GIANNA AND RE-LAUNCH
MILANO VENEZIA by GUIDO GEROSA
Milano it's again the city of the Cinema, after has been the set of
Visconti in "Rocco and his brothers" in '50 and '60. Now
is fashionable with the work of Gianna Maria Garbelli , a real Milanese
from the Navigli. The young Gianna Maria Garbelli author of "Tentazioni
Metropolitane" express all the optimistic and vitality of the
Milanese spirit. This brilliant girl that has a radiant face , approach
life with super-optimistic sense and she speaks the slang of people
from Porta Ticinese, she has been study at the "Actor's Studio''.
She speaks English better that Milanese slang she always did Theatre
performance and TV. In her feature film she did everything: Writer,
producer, director, actress. Her film is about a re-socialization
of an ex-prisoner a social matter. "One morning very early I
had my cappuccino at the usual bar and I met this girl. I asked her
were she was coming from - she was very pretty and had a lot of make-up
- She answer 'from Opera' I asked her if Opera was a new disco in
town. She said. No. It's a prison!" That's how I get the idea
of the story of my film she was in half-freedom it's about the 'Gozzini
law, let the people in work furlough. She was arrested because a drugs
trafficking. I could touch with my hand that the Italian Cinema it's
full of human resource. The people are generous. I could you shoot
in the real prison and real location, as the time of the Neo-realism.
The music was made by my brother Alberto, because he is very good,
I'm not a nepotism. Here is the miracle of the Italian Cinema.
IL GIORNO - LA NAZIONE -
IL RESTO DEL CARLINO
ITALY 29 MARZO 2000 THE FILM MADE BY GIANNA
MARIA GARBELLI, BOUGHT BUT NEVER SHOWN BY RAI, HAS FOUND A DISTIBUTOR
AND IS TO COME OUT IN THE UNITED STATES "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE",
AN AMERICAN MIRACLE By Giampaolo
Pioli NEW YORK
She's a girl who wins through in the end. She wins her challenge with
prison. No one helps her. She redeems herself single-handedly, and
once again, with a smile, begins breathing in the air of a Milan which
is devoid of bars on the windows. It is an intense story. A 'clean'
film. And an impressive tour de force for any actress. Tentazioni
Metropolitane' (literally, Metropolitan Temptations), a first work
by the film's young director and star Gianna Maria Garbelli (already
seen in Venice), was unveiled the other evening at New York University
after its success at the San Francisco Festival. Kevin Thomas of the
Los Angeles Times called it "an absorbing contemporary melodrama."
In the next few days Ms Garbelli, who also produced and acted in the
film, will sign a contract with Vanguard to distribute the film in
which Annie Girardot also features, in about 30 US cinemas, beginning
in the autumn. For an Italian film - which cost 2 just billion lire
(1milion US$) and was the fruit of the labours of an entirely independent
production - to find a niche in the US is practically unheard-of.
And this success story also helps to show that selling our films abroad
requires an entrepreneurial spirit, a great deal of determination,
and courage. The RAI (Italian state television) which over two years
ago bought the rights to 'Tentazioni Metropolitane,' has still to
schedule it, even if its theme, about day-release from prison for
a woman drug trafficker, could not be more actual and controversial
right now. It would be interesting to know the reason for the RAI's
delay. "I sold the television rights to the film, not for it
stay in the freezer," said the director and actress wryly, adding:
"I only hope that it isn't aired in the middle of the night and
on ferragosto (Italy's August 15 bank holiday, when everyone is on
holiday), like most Italian films." When the director Alfonso
Arau (director of ' Like The Water For The Choccolate') presented
Ms Garbelli's film - which in the English subtitled version will be
called 'Jailbirds - to the New York public, he glowingly referred
to it as "a rare first work, which is mature and full of energy
and humanity." 'Tentazioni Metropolitane,' in which Annie Girardot
in the role of the mother of the main character, was filmed in the
local San Vittore jail and elsewhere in Milan. It deals with the problems
of sexuality and re-establishment into society of the female inmates,
and the differences between those who are there for political reasons,
and the more ordinary cases such as Alessandra's. After doing seven
years for international drug dealing, she desperately tries to pick
up the strands of her life on a day-release scheme, since she finds
that even if you pay for your crime in the eyes of the law, society
is not always to forgive so readily. "I met the real Alessandra
in a bar in the Navigli (a bohemian area of Milan with colourful canals)
one morning at 8 o'clock," the director says. "She was too
made-up, too exaggerated, too nice, and looked too much like someone
dressed up for the evening, to be true. "I thought she had just
emerged from some discoteque, and instead she said to me, 'I've come
from the Opera,' explaining that it was a prison. She had made herself
up as though she were going to a party, because she was starting her
first day of semi-freedom. "It was then and there that I envisaged
the first frame of my film, and I from it, I constructed the story
that I was to write. It is a middle-class story. And a universal tale
that could have been filmed in any city of the world." It's an
invitation not to give up, trowing away years of decent life
CORRIERE
DELLA SERA
ITALY POSITIVE. MUST TO SEE IT! FULL OF CHARCTERS
FROM MILANO by Giancarlo Grossini
VITALITY IN THE DEBUTS OF GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI, THE DIRECTOR AND
WRITER chosen unusual location in Milano: The prison of San Vittore
and the one super-protected in Opera. But not just prisons, also Milano
by night with pub, disco it's very well cinematographer . Positive.
Must to see it!
IL SECOLO
XIX
IL CASO 4 Aprile 2000, Martedì AMERICA
ADOPTS AN ITALIAN WOMAN DIRECTOR
By Franco Pantarelli. NEW YORK
A new Italian film, 'Tentazioni Metropolitane', will be releaseed
in American cinemas soon, and with it, the first work by the prmoising
and talented young director Gianna Maria Garbelli. Vanguard will be
distributing it in the autumn under the title 'Jailbirds.' It almost
goes without saying that breaking into the American market is no easy
thing, especially for a first work. Ms Garbelli did it however, thanks
to the many favourable reviews of her film, which the Los Angeles
Times' critic described as an " absorbing contemporary melodrama
which is shows the multi-faceted talents of the director-actress."
Even Alfonso Arau, who directed " Like The Water For The Choccolate''
fell head over heels for the film, to the extent that he presented
it personally during a showing organised in New York. "I've been
wandering around with the pizza ( the reels in Italian slang) of my
film under my arm," Ms Garbelli says. She sold it to RAI, the
Italian state broadcaster, which however remains still undecided over
whether to air it, or even to promote it all. "Meanwhile they're
probably spending tons of money buying and dubbing telenovelas,"
the director adds, with a distinct touch of pique. Deep down, her
own story - that of the producer-director, actress-distributor, grappling
with the suffocating and also slightly perverse mechanism of the world
of cinema - somehow resembles that of Alessandra, the main character
of 'Tentazioni Metropolitane' -- at least in the sense that each person's
life represents a confusion from which it is extremely difficult to
become disentangled. Alessandra has been sentenced to 10 years for
dealing in drugs. After serving seven years in the Opera prison of
Milan, she then obtains semi-freedom for the remaining three. When
she leaves prison, she does so with a sense of concern about what
lies in wait for her, and she begins her new life forever poised between
alternative sensations of fear and happiness. Almost physically (and
here Garbelli the actress is brilliant at showing what goes on inside
a personality), she begins to enjoy the reconquered spaces, even if
it is true that her days unfold in a suburban and depressing Milan.
Inevitably, her collision with reality is only a question of time.
As people whoi have spent time in jail will know, those who have been
'inside' are not so easily accepted outside afterwards - tomorrow
- while what happened yesterday forever hangs over them. AS a result
Alessandra is forced to invent for herself a pretend life, and to
live in a sort of 'alternating current,' between the new people she
meets, including an eligable young man, and those of the past, such
as her mother, her brother who has also been in prison, her ex-accomplice
who wants to woo her again, and her mates at work who 'know.' Will
she succeed in walking this gauntlet? We won't tell you, because one
of these days it is just possible that the Rai may dust this gem of
a film down and actually show it.
PRESENCES
DU CINEMA
VENICE LA SELECTION ITALIENNE TOUTE LE REST,
SAVOIR FARE, COURAGE D'ALLER TROP LOIN, DE COURIR LOIN DE MODES MINIMALISTES,
SEX APPEAL, TOUT CELA, C'EST LE RESULTAT DE SE PROPRES DONS. Venice,
LORENZO CODELLI
J'ai vu TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE", dirigé,produit, ecrit
et joué par Gianna Maria Garbelli, en ignorant tout de cet
auteur protéiforme. Qui se déchaine splendidement dans
lo role d'une blond, prisonniere, qui obtient un semiliberté
et chaque jour sort de la prison pour aller a travailler et retrouver
quelque lambeau de sa vie interrompue des années avant, pour
une histoire de drogue. L'histoire hypermelodramatique est des nos
jours, dans un Milan devasté et polychrome: mais la tension
constante d'une centaine de clous narratifs (explosion d'eros, lesbien
ou hetéro, haines, amities, fuites et retrouvailles inespérées)
evoque plutot certains feuilletons de Matarazzo années cinquante.
Et le ritme un peu emphatic mais endiablé doit bien quelque
chose a Kazan...Je suis allé ensuite consulter la biographie
de l'auteur dans le dossier de press (certainment tapé à
la machine par elle-meme, contient sa signature autographe, son adress,
ses numeros prives del telephone et de fax) et j'ai découvert
que Gianna Maria Garbelli avait travaillé pendant trios ans
avec Lee Strasberg à l'Actor's Studio, avait joué aussi
diverses piè ces au Strasberg Theatre. Voilà d'où
lui vient cette insolite, spasmodique identification avec la protagonist,
son étude approfondie d'un cas limite.
TELE+
TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE AN ORDINARY HISTORY
OF SOCIAL DISCRIMANATION WHERE THE PAST CAN STOP THE BORN OF NEW PRESENT
by, G. Lam.
The street of Justice are infinitely, the social's justice are not.
If the Government can forgive , after a condemn, who break the law,
for the human been it's almost impossible to give a second chance
to who made a mistake. This is in a few words the history of Alessandra.
Ex-drugs trafficker. After paid with 7 years in prison, she believe
to start again a new life, without to put in account the wall of prejudice
that are around her. The past, as usual came back to make difficult
the new bases for the future, but this time it did accounted with
the great joy for living of the girl re-borne
GENTE
"WHO DOES FOR ITSELF CAN DO FOR FOUR"
" I act, I direct, I write , I produce my feature film."
> It's not a little thing!> In the film "Tentazioni Metropolitane",
Garbelli did everything by herself. " was my dream to do my feature
film" she says " The occasion was when I met a prisoner
in half-freedom". From my father that was a famous boxer I get
the will." Milano, by, MIMMO
PACIFICI
It's the new face of the Italian Cinema: she is Gianna Maria Garbelli,
in her film "Tentazioni Metropolitane" that was presented
at the Mostra Internazionale del Cinema di Venezia, in the section
"Panorama Italiano", in the cast there is also the famous
French star Annie Girardot. The critics says that the film is a revelation
and Gianna Maria Garbelli shows a unique quality in the young generation
the power. I always had power says Gianna Maria. < I had to put
al my determination to realize this work from A to Z, to demonstrated
to my self and then to other that with good idea, trust in the work
and courage can be made a good film. Could be that I get the power
from my father, Giancarlo, that was a famous champion in the end of
50 and 60. Gianna Maria Garbelli debuts on the stage in Milano, she
studied acting in USA, she played in TV , she did a lot of work in
Italian theatres. I'm going to met her. < A film, I'm saying that
she wrote, direct, acted and produced > It's not a little thing!>
<I had a very good idea, that push me in a not easy way to do a
movie that could show my talent in the same time > In the center
of the film there is the universe of young prisoner her name is Alessandra
( my role) that after she founds part of her freedom she is shattered
from betrayals, mistrust and delusion, but she has to overcame all
this. It's the story that practically , tells how she reacts to the
difficulties, because she wants a new feature . In a large sense,
I think the in the story of my role, everybody can reflects a metaphor
in how it's difficult in everybody's life to reach, to conquest a
goal. < My desire to act to write grow up in me since I was a little
girl...I went to New York, to study cinema and theatre in the prestigious
school of Lee Strasberg: was an important experience. " From
the American mentality she gets the pragmatism that was useful to
me>.Gianna Maria Garbelli continues < back in Italy, I was always
in tours with Theatre's company , I' played in TV. I thought that
I had to created my opportunity , with tenancy and precision <to
write the screenplay of protagonist my film, an ex-prisoner in work
furlough , with will to re-conquest her feature I take all information:
wanted for real reality around also a psychological and social portrait.
interviewed 16 people: criminals, political prisoner, magistrate,
lawyer, prisoner's guard, psychologist had permission shoot prison
thank Ministry Justice. Considering positive critics that film had,
satisfaction about debuts, specially from facts has been definite
story rich generosity energy: emotions put inside film
THE BUSINESS OF
FILM
LOS ANGELES - USA Cannes Film Festival A JAILBIRDD
CINDARELLA CANNES, ELSPETH TAVARES
JAILBIRDS (Tentazioni Metropolitane) explores the limbo circumstances
based on the true inactment of Italy's Gozzini Law. The film was first
presented at Mostra Internazionale in Venice and has been received
well by the critics following its theatrical release in february throughout
Italy. At Cannes'98 Jailbirds is partecipating as part of media Programme,
a pan-European promotion of european coproductions films. On her experiences,
Gianna Maria Garbelli's (G.M.G. Productions) training draws from theatre,
cinema and television. A Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute (New York)
graduate and a member-observer of the Actor Studio (New York), Garbelli
also has worked with New York's Strasberg Theatre and Milano's Teatro
Nuovo and Piccolo Teatro. Her experience from Brecht's, 'The Jewish
Wife', Cocteau's ' The Human Voice' and Noel Coward's 'Spirito Allegro'
indicate the tone and approach of Garbelli's debut celluloid intentions.
Writing the script from true suggestions, playing the lead, promoting,
distributing and selling JAILBIRDS put forward a strong case for the
Italian Ministry of Justice, keen to len its support to the film to
dispel the myths of the Gozzini Law. In the story of Alessandra, played
by Garbelli herself, a girl who is partly released from jail after
seven years sentence for drugs trafficing. Still in semycustody for
another three years, she is allowed to leave the Milan prison of San
Vittore during the days for work, but each night at ten she must return
to her cell. While this "Cindarella" tries to re-build her
social life, she is confronted with betrayal, mistrust, temptation
and revenge. Those scheming against her include her unforgiving brother
(Dario d'Ambrosi), drug delear (Paolo D'Agostino), who is also part
of the semicustody process, cell mate Marina (Fiorenza Marcheggiani)
and secon hand arms delear Francis (Stephane Ferrara). Marina,a former
terrorist has not forgiven her for a strong but momentary intimacy
which united them one night, and in partnership with Francis her former
terrorist companion they conspire to plot against her. Mother (Annie
Girardot) and love interest (Maurizio Donadoni) provide Alessandra
with her only source of hope and trust. As the writer, Garbelli creates
a likeable character in Alessandra who measuredly uses the powers
of seduction, love and trust to combat herself against such plots.
Motivated by a performance of Beckett's Waiting for Godot, at Salone
Pier Lombardo, inacted by the lifers of St. Quintin Gaol Drama School.
Garbelli manages to avoid a cliche ending. These desires to avoid
the obvious are apparent in both style and themes. At the end of each
scene, the characters are photographed emoitionally reinforcing the
film's overall sense of half-freedom and cospiring forces. Issues
of sexuality are erotic and exciting without declining into vulgarity
while the director's approach to the issue of homosexuality expresses
a common reality among prisoners stressing the absence of decisions
and freedom in Alessandra's life.
MEDIA
PROGRAMME "THE MARKETPLACE
Cannes, MARISA
van ANDEL
GMG PRODUZIONI - Gianna Maria Garbelli may very well be the best exampled
of a truly indipendent European producer. She is a first-timer at
MIP, where she presents her first future film 'TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE'
(Jailbirds) to the interntional market. Gianna maria Garbelli not
only produced and directed the film; she also wrote the script, played
the leading role and now promotes, distributes and sells it. Set in
the suburbs of Milan, "Jailbirds"is the story od Alessandra,
a girl is partly released from jail after seven-year sentence for
druf traffic. Still in semi-custody for another three years, she is
allowed to leave the prison during the days, but each night at 10
p.m. she must be back in her cell. While she tries to re-build a social
life, she is confronted with betrayals, mistrust and temptations.
Annie Girardot interprets the role of the prisoner's mother. The film
was first presented at last year's Mostra in Venice and has been successfully
received by the critics after its release in the Italian cinemas in
february. To get information and meet the producer-distributor-director-leading
actress, come to the MEDIA.
MIP
TV
GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI HAS HER OWN PRODUCTION
AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, GMG.
GMG Produzioni's Gianna Maria Garbelli is demonstrating her creative
and marketing versatility to the full at MIP-TV.
Garbelli not only produced and directed the feature film Tentazioni
Metropolitane (Jailbirds), but also wrote the script, played the leading
role and is now promoting, distributing and selling it. "The
reaction in Cannes has so far been very strong and encouraging, "
said Garbelli, who in the movie stars as Alessandra, a woman still
in semi-custody for drug trafficking and trying to rebuild her life.
"I'm building on a buzz which started at MIFED."
KING
- ITALIAN MAGAZINE
GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI EXUBERANCE By
Dario Biagi
"I love exercises, I adore to dance, I have a lot of energy,
I'm daughter of sports people" I 've insomnia, I used to write
my screenplay in the night time" My passion is my work! What
a incendiary power!
IL
GIORNALE DI NAPOLI
THE DETERMINATION OF GARBELLI
Venezia, by ANTONIO TEDESCO
Between all the feature film saw in Veezia Film Festival, the most
courage and with vitality is "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE"
the debuts as director of Gianna Maria Garbelli. The director that
is also the protagonist, she get deep in the matter, with determination
without overdo, like her colleagues in omission and falling through
L'
ECO DI BERGAMO
WOMEN DON'T GIVE UP:TENTAZIONI METROPOLIATNE"
BY GIANNA MARIA GARBELLI - A GIRL OUT FROM PRISON ABLE TO RE-BUILT
A NORMAL LIFE; VENEZIA by ACHILLE
FREZZATO
A strong personality, determinate, with power and combative is at
the center of "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE' very good debut. An
opera well modulated, rich of warm human been, strong emotions, it's
in evidence the vitality of the protagonist that doesn't admit defeat
at what is her choice. Together a very well story-teller with American-underground
style
L'ARENA
TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE
VENEZIA, FRANCESCO SPECCHIA
THE ONLY, THE BEST FILM SAW IN VENEZIA FILM FESTIVAL
LA
PADANIA
I WRITE, I PRODUCE, I DIRECT, I ACT, "TENTAZIONI
METROPOLITANE" A WONDERFUL PICTURE.
Milano by M.Giulia Comolli
I saw a wonderful picture& "I chose a story very tough, intense
but that doesn't talk about victimize: no tears, they don't belong
to the Milanese's people, so that anxious search of alibi and justification
for her faults and her failure in life" Wasn't this a story to
think without the few foggy days in winter time, without keeping the
drama inside with measure, without our strength of survive, our dignity,
our generosity& I saw a wonderful picture..."
CIAK
THE GIRL IN THE BOX TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE
The first feature film of Gianna Maria Garbelli, she has in her cast
a star like Annie Girardot. Garbelli that is also the protagonist
of the movie, about the re-integration of an ex-prisoner. The story
of Alessandra a girl that gets out of the Milanese's prison in Opera(
in the neighbor of Milano) after seven years sentence for drugs trafficking.
The happiness of the freedom is short. Very soon the girl crash with
betrayals, mistrust of the society, she will abandoned also from friends.
The only person close to her is her mother.
NOCTURNO
ITALIANO
THE GIANNA'S TEMPTATIONS Milano,
DAVIDE PULICIShe,
Gianna Maria Garbelli, young and fascinating girl from with all the
roots in Milano , simpatica and with a face that turn you on, she
minimize anyway the past, she is so concentrated to protect her "baby"
the new film "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE". A feature film
where she did everything from the idea to the writing, directing acting
producing and even the distribution at least in Italy. She has to
find the money and wasn't easy. The versatile of the leading role
deserve a lot of attention, also because the difference is in the
thousands of 'authors" of minimalist really plane and boring,
Garbelli has the deep and the clear of meaning (she is also the writer)
and she has everything under control in a dialogues too, in the cinematography
sense, that is just right to call her" author". The story
of the film that is universal, - as the best roles in the classic
dramaturgy - Gianna written and directed from the inspiration of the
variety of the human been, from the Gozzini law , that allowed ex-prisoner
to work furlough so in half-freedom. TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE tells
the story in 100 minutes in a very rhythmic style, often very hard,
but also ironic and sentimental, reserving to Gianna sensitive the
work of the protagonist, very tough, very complicated, but that she
can support with spontaneous, with the precise and the energy of the
big star& about the rest it's better not to talk in this line
to not loose the fascination and the surprise of a story that you'll
never know how is going to be, a rich story, rich of psychology action,
but where even the real one has the evidence; we would like that the
film will be an explosion in the near feature the occasion now is
in Milano next 24th of February when "TENTAZIONI METROPOLITANE",
will be screening at the Theatre 'De Amicis', we people from the Nocturno,
for sure will be there
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