Beta Cinema has acquired international sales rights outside Italy to“My Place Is Here,” directed by Daniela Porto and Cristiano Bortone. They kicked off sales on the film at the European Film Market.
Set in rural Italy’s southern region of Calabria during the late 1940s, “My Place” is about the friendship between a single mother and a local wedding planner, who is the only gay person in their village. This friendship leads her to challenge the prejudices of the community and fight to find her place in the world.
“My Place Is Here” marks Porto’s feature film debut. Co-director Bortone is a helmer and producer known for “Red Like the Sky” (2005) and “Coffee” (2016), which was an Italy-China co-production, among other titles. The film is based on Porto’s eponymous novel that will be published in Italy in March.
The film stars Ludovica Martino, who has a fanbase in Italy for her lead role in the Italian adaptation of hit Norwegian teen drama “Skam,” and Marco Leonardi, who has starred alongside Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp in “once Upon a Time in Mexico” and in Abel Ferrara’s “Mary” with Juliette Binoche, among other roles.
“Although the film is set in Calabria during the mid-1940s, some of its themes remain very timely,” the directors said in a statement. “Almost every day we read about cases of feminicide or acts of intolerance as new conservative movements make their way through Europe and around the world.”
Commented Beta Cinema head of sales Tassilo Hallbauer: “‘My Place Is Here’ is a compelling tale of female empowerment and pursuit of happiness. Ludovica Martino is a true discovery in the leading role and audiences around the world will be thrilled to see Marco Leonardi again, in the role of a true, selfless friend.”
“My Place Is Here” is produced by Orisa Produzioni and Goldkind Film with the support of Calabria Film Commission, Regione Lazio and support from Apulia Film Commission and Regione Puglia. Adler Distribution will release the film in Italy in April.
