Gabriella Pession Movies
- 2007
Emilio Martinez-Lazaro's historical drama Las 13 Rosas (AKA 13 Roses) commences in 1939 Madrid. As the forces of nationalist general Francisco Franco sweep down into the city and bombs cascade onto Spanish buildings, two Republicans - Red Cross employee Virtudes (Marta Etura) and streetcar attendant Julia (Veronica Sanchez) - sit in a club watching a live set by two musicians: the Communist Canepa (Enrico Lo Verso), and Enrique (Asier Etxeandia), the husband of Blanca (Pilar Lopez de Ayala). Sensing obvious trouble given the country's circumstances, Canepa opts to flee for his life - receiving some fiscal support from Blanca - and a romance blossoms between Julia and Perico (Felix Gomez), a soldier from Franco's forces. Meanwhile, unrest and extreme distrust run rampant among the nationalists. Hungry for scapegoats - despite the lack of conclusive evidence - the troops respond to a rumor about a plot to rub out Franco by rounding up the 13 innocent young women of the title, including Julia, the socialist Adelina (Gabriella Pession) and 11 others - who are collectively imprisoned, given trial and slated for execution for treasonous activity. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pilar Lopez de Ayala, Verónica Sánchez, (more)
- 2002
Italian writer and actor Francesco Apolloni makes his directorial debut with Let's Have the Truth About Love, an adaptation of his own stage play. The talky comedy involves the interwoven romantic lives of several young adults. Monica (Carlotta Natoli) likes her co-worker Lorenzo (Apolloni), but he likes the Dutch model Olga (Barbara Snellenburg), who is sleeping with photographer Luca (Alberto Molinari). Olga shares a flat with musician Michaelanglo (Pierfrancesco Faviano) and his girlfriend Betta (Elda Alvigini), who's friend Giulia (Veronica Logan) is having problems with her sexually experimental boyfriend Gabriele (Giacinto Palmarini). Meanwhile, bachelor Angelo (Yari Guglicci ) is left in the middle of things. The conclusion finds everyone sharing a Valentine's day dinner, revealing their secrets, and swapping romantic partners. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elda Alvigini, Francesco Apolloni, (more)
He was a poor carpenter who never traveled further than 50 miles from his home and died at the age of 33, but his teachings changed the world and he's still followed by hundreds of millions of people around the world, 2,000 years after his death. Jesus, originally produced as a television mini-series, offers a glimpse of the human side of the messiah, as well as recounting the story of his life and martyrdom. Jeremy Sisto stars as Jesus, with Jacqueline Bisset as Mary, Armin Mueller-Stahl as Joseph, Gary Oldman as Pontius Pilate, and Debra Messing as Mary Magdalene. The home video release is expanded from the broadcast edition, featuring material that was cut for time purposes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Sisto, Jacqueline Bisset, (more)
The life and times of Italy's King Ferdinand are played for laughs in this comic historical piece directed by Lina Wertmuller. Set in the 18th century, Ferdinando E Carolina opens with the aging Ferdinand falling ill and being taken to his bed, with his life story told in flashback. A naturally rambunctious and impetuous child, Ferdinand grows to young adulthood and is poised to take over the crown at 16. The powers behind the throne have arranged a marriage with a princess from Austria (despite the fact that Ferdinand has already taken a lover), but she dies of smallpox before the wedding can take place; her sister is next proposed as a fitting mate, but then she dies as well. When a third sister, Maria Carolina, is presented, Ferdinand is decidedly unenthusiastic, given the family's track record on the path to the altar. But when Ferdinand's advisors (and Carolina's mother) start to lean on him, he agrees, and he soon discovers on their honeymoon that he and Carolina get along famously in the bedroom, if nowhere else. While Ferdinand is never quite cured of his roving eye, Carolina soon has the King under her spell, and her political power soon rivals his own. While much of the cast of Ferdinando E Carolina (aka Ferdinand and Carolina) are newcomers, veteran Italian film stars Silvana De Santis and Mario Scaccia appear in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergio Assisi, Gabriella Pession, (more)
- 1999
Noted Italian filmmaker Leonardo Pieraccioni follows up on his cowboy epic My West (1998) with this good-natured fable about the fleeting and shallow nature of fame. Pure-hearted carpenter and amateur novelist Arturo (Pieraccioni) stumbles into fame after his collection of children's stories, entitled "The Fish in Love" finds its way onto the lap of a bigwig publisher (Patrizia Loreti). The book is a phenomenal international success, and soon Arturo is swept up in one launch party after another. Eventually, Arturo tires of the high life and decides to spend the night in the relative quiet of his hotel room. A hotel snafu has him sharing a suite with the drop-dead gorgeous Matilde (Yamilia Diaz), and Arturo finds himself in an unexpected romance. The next day, when he learns that his love is in fact married, he retires from the high-rolling lifestyle to live and work in a tranquil mountain retreat. Several months later, Matilde suddenly appears on his door step with a baby in tow. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonardo Pieraccioni, Paolo Hendel, (more)
