Motion Pictures
August 7, 2003
Warner Bros. Pictures International To Collaborate On The Production And Release Of Two Italian-Language Films, “L’Amore Ritorna” And “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo,” In Italy
(August 7, 2003 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Pictures International will collaborate on the production and release of two Italian language films in Italy, working with BiancaFilm on “L’Amore Ritorna” (“Love Returns”) and with Cattleya on “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo” (“Three Steps Over Heaven”). The announcement was made today by Richard Fox, Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
“Our local production acquisitions and collaborations from earlier this year have performed very well for us and, with the top-notch caliber of these latest films, we have high expectations for continued success,” said Fox.
“L’Amore Ritorna” will be directed by Sergio Rubini (who also co-stars) and will start principal photography on August 18, 2003. This comedic drama, about a famous actor who is forced to reconsider his life and relationships after he is struck by a serious illness, also stars Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Margherita Buy, and Giovanna Mezzogiorno.
Directed by first-time director Luca Lucini and starring newcomers Riccardo Scamarcio, Katy Saunders, Mauro Meconi and Maria Chiara Augenti, “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo” is a coming-of-age film in the vein of “Rebel Without A Cause.” The film is expected to start principal photography on September 8, 2003 in Rome.
“We’re always striving to work with respected and well-established directors like Rubini and we’re also thrilled to be collaborating with Luca Lucini, as Warner Bros. Pictures International has never worked before with a first-time director in our local production efforts in Italy,” said Simona Benzakein, Vice President, European Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures International.
“L’Amore Ritorna,” and “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo” are Warner Bros. Pictures International’s third and fourth collaborations, respectively, in Italian-language productions.
Notes Paolo Ferrari, Managing Director, Warner Bros. Pictures Italy: “We look forward to bringing these productions to Italy, especially in light of the successes of our first two collaborations, ‘Febbre Da Cavallo - La Mandrakata,’ directed by Carlo Vanzina, and ‘Ma Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi,’ directed by Carlo Verdone.”
Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution also hold rights for “L’Amore Ritorna” and “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo” in Italy. # # #