Fare Cinema: Monica (2022) by Andrea Pallaoro

MONICA is an intimate portrait of a woman who returns home after a long absence to confront the wounds of her past. Reconnecting with her mother (Patricia Clarkson) and the rest of her family for the first time since leaving as a teenager, Monica (Trace Lysette) embarks on a path of healing and acceptance. The film delves into Monica’s internal world and state of mind, her pain and fears, her needs and desires, to explore the universal themes of abandonment and forgiveness.

During the past few years my mother’s illness has compelled me to confront my past and the psychological effects of abandonment. Treading between the interior and exterior, the emotional and physical, Monica explores the complexities of self-worth, the deep-rooted consequences of rejection and the lengths we go to heal our wounds. Through a cinematic language that stems from the juxtaposition of the aesthetics of intimacy and alienation, my creative team and I delved into the emotional and psychological landscape of Monica to reflect the precarious nature of self-identity when challenged by the need to survive and ultimately transform. - Andrea Pallaoro

ANDREA PALLAORO Born in Trento, Italy in 1982, Andrea Pallaoro holds an MFA in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts and a BA from Hampshire College. His first feature film, Medeas, starring Catalina Sandino Moreno and Brian O’Byrne, premiered at the 70th Venice Film Festival and won several awards at prestigious international film festivals including Marrakech, Tbilisi, Palm Springs, and CamerImage. Hannah, Pallaoro’s second feature film, starring Charlotte Rampling, world premiered in the Official Competition of the 74th Venice Film Festival where Ms. Rampling won the Coppa Volpi for best actress. Hannah went on to receive many prestigious international awards and recognitions including a César nomination for best foreign film. Pallaoro has served on the juries of prominent world-renowned film festivals including Venice, Chicago, and Black Nights-Tallinn. He lives between Los Angeles and New York City.

Directed by ANDREA PALLAORO

Written by ANDREA PALLAORO and ORLANDO TIRADO

Cinematographer KATELIN ARIZMENDI

Editor PAOLA FREDDI

Production Designer ANDREW CLARK

Costume designer PATRIK MILANI

Sound supervisor MIRKO PERRI

Produced by GINA RESNICK p.g.a., CHRISTINA DOW, ELEONORA GRANATA JENKINSON, ANDREA PALLAORO

Co produced by MARINA MARZOTTO a.g.i.c.i., MATTIA ODDONE, RICCARDO DI PASQUALE, GABRIELE ORICCHIO, ANTONIO ADINOLFI, GIORGIA LO SAVIO

Produced by VARIENT ENTERTAINMENT, SOLO FIVE PRODUCTION, MELOGRANO FILMS Co produced by PROPAGANDA ITALIA, FENIX ENTERTAINMENT with RAI CINEMA and ALACRAN PICTURES In association with 039 ALBEDO, THE EXCHANGE, CINETRAIN and HUDSON ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

CAST

TRACE LYSETTE Monica

PATRICIA CLARKSON Eugenia

EMILY BROWNING Laura

JOSHUA CLOSE Paul

ADRIANA BARRAZA Leticia

GRAHAM CALDWELL Brody

RUBY FRASER Britney

Host or Publisher Italian Cultural Institute - Los Angeles