Mid-August Lunch

Feb 28

Mar 7

Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films
Italy • 2009 • in Italian • 75 min • Not Rated

The charismatic Gianni Di Gregorio (co-scenarist of the smash hit Gomorrah), stars in his directorial debut—an utterly charming tale of good food, feisty ladies and unlikely friendships during a very Roman holiday. Broke, and armed with only a glass of wine and a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni resides with his 93-year-old mother in their ancient apartment. The condo debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager’s mother during the Pranzo di Ferragosto (Italy’s biggest summer holiday, and the Feast of the Assumption), all will be forgiven. Then the manager also shows up with an auntie, and a doctor friend appears with hismother in tow.... Can Gianni keep four such lively mamas well fed and happy in these cramped quarters?

Winner of numerous prizes at international festivals—including multiple prizes at Venice, the Satyajit Ray Award at London and the Golden Snail at the Academy of Food and Film in Bologna—Mid-August Lunchis both warmly vibrant family drama and delicately balanced comedy of manners.

Club reactions by city:

moderated by Brittain Smith

Very real and genuine. I loved it! A delightful, real film. Excellent acting, casting; loved the cinematography.

Best film the Club has shown in a long while! Particularly good, enthusiastic discussion. A nice gem! So beautifully acted.

Italy package tours should be in the lobby! A delight. Bravi a tutti!

moderated by Peter L. Stein

Like an old-fashioned foreign film: sweet, timeless. Perfect tone with perfectly nuanced performances…I'm still smiling!

A charmer with a subtle message about the loneliness of the elderly. And now I'm hungry!

This represents everything I would hope for in old age. Except maybe finer-sliced mozzarella… and broader pasta… and a firmer mattress... and lose that awful apron. Otherwise, molto bravo, molto bene!