TFS Presents an Italian Double Feature!
Details
On Sunday, February 22nd, at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto, the Toronto Film Society is showing a double feature of Italian films: two films for one low price!
First up is Il Sorpasso (The Easy Life) (1962). A defining masterpiece of Italian commedia all’italiana, Dino Risi’s Il Sorpasso follows the unlikely pairing of shy law student Roberto and charismatic drifter Bruno as they tear through the sun-drenched roads of Ferragosto in Bruno’s roaring Lancia Aurelia. What begins as a spontaneous joyride becomes a sharp, unsettling look at a country racing toward modernity, at once funny, free-spirited, and deeply poignant. Dino Risi blends social satire with emotional depth, powered by memorable performances from Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant.
Shown in the original Italian with English subtitles.
Next on screen is Federico Fellini's Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova d’orchestra) (1978). Part mockumentary and part political allegory, Orchestra Rehearsal transforms a single rehearsal room into a chaotic microcosm of Italian society. A documentary crew observes an orchestra whose players bicker, complain, organize, rebel, and eventually confront forces beyond their control. The comedy gradually sharpens into something darker and more surreal, echoing the turbulence of 1970s Italy. With Nino Rota’s music driving the rhythm of the film, this compact work becomes a provocative meditation on authority, art, and the fragile balance required to create harmony.
Shown in the original Italian with English subtitles.
Please note that this is a paid event. You can purchase tickets online or at the door.