Variety Critics’ Choice: Europe Now! 2008 / Ciao bella / Sweden 2007
Debuting helmer Mani Maserrat-Agah’s delightful romantic comedy Ciao Bella takes on Swedish attitudes toward immigrants and foreigners with a pitch-perfect story about young love, sex, ethnicity and fear of being an outsider. Strong playing by leads and, indeed, the entire ensemble of young actors gives the situations a realistic intensity and winning charm.
Debuting helmer Mani Maserrat-Agah’s delightful romantic comedy Ciao Bella takes on Swedish attitudes toward immigrants and foreigners with a pitch-perfect story about young love, sex, ethnicity and fear of being an outsider. Like director Maserrat-Agah, protagonist Mustafa (Poyan Karimi, terrific) is a Swede born in Iran. A bright, athletic 16-year-old, he doesn’t feel totally comfortable in the world of his parents or his peers. Dumped by his blonde g.f. during pic’s opening moments, Mustafa frequently overhears casually racist remarks such as “he’s one of them.” When Mustafa travels to Gothenburg’s summer youth soccer tournament with his high school team, a clever series of events results in him playing on the Italian side. Strong playing by leads and, indeed, the entire ensemble of young actors gives the situations a realistic intensity and winning charm.
91 min / Color, 35 mm
Director Mani Maserrat-Agah
/ Screenplay Jens Jonsson
/ Dir. of Photography Andréas Lennartsson
/ Music Martin Willert
/ Editor Kristin Grundström
/ Producer Olle Wirenhed
/ Production GötaFilm AB
/ Cast Chanelle Lindell, Poyan Karimi, Oliver Ingrosso, Fredrika Tham, Arash Bolouri
/ Contact Swedish Film Institute
Swedish Film Institute
Box 27126, S-102 52, Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46 866 511 00
Fax: +46 866 118 20
E-mail: [email protected]
Gunnar Almér
Film Institution Rep.
Mani Maserrat-Agah
Film Director, Film Director
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