BETA CINEMA PICKS UP “MY PLACE IS HERE” STARRING CINEMA PARADISO’S MARCO LEONARDI AND LUDOVICA MARTINO (SKAM ITALIA)

Beta Cinema has acquired international sales rights to My Place Is Here, directed by Daniela Porto and Cristiano Bortone and will start selling it at the European Film Market. The film is set in the aftermath of WWII in Southern Italy, during the rise of the first feminist movement. When single mother Marta accepts the proposal of an older farmer, she meets Lorenzo, the village's openly gay "wedding planner" and forges an unlikely friendship with him. In the conservative backdrop of rural Southern Italy, Lorenzo introduces her to a hidden community of gays, sparking Marta's journey to challenge societal prejudices. In the first year of women's suffrage in Italy, Marta navigates her evolving role as a woman, breaking barriers and finding her place in a changing world.

Tassilo Hallbauer, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Beta Cinema says, “My Place Is Here is a compelling tale of women 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 Daniela Porto’ feature film debut, together with her life-time partner Cristiano Bortone, the director of Red Like The Sky (2005), Coffee (2016). Cristiano Bortone also has a vast track record as a producer and his films took prestigious awards, among them also an Italian Film Award (David Giovani Film Award). The film is adapted from Daniela Porto's own novel which will be published in Italy in March by Sperling & Kupfer (Mondadori).

Ludovica Martino has made herself a large fanbase among the young audience with her leading role in the Italian adaptation of the Norwegian high school series Skam and ranges among the most promising up and coming Italian actresses of the moment. Marco Leonardi had his international breakthrough with his role of the teenage Totò in the Academy Award winner Cinema Paradiso (1988), opening him the doors for a yearlong career in the US.  He starred in the highly successful Like Water for Chocolate (1992), alongside Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp in Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) by Robert Rodriguez and in Mary (2005) by Abel Ferrara, next to Juliette Binoche.

Daniela Porto and Cristiano Bortone state, “Although the film is set in Calabria in the mid-40s, some of its themes remain very up to date. Almost every day we read about cases of feminicide or acts of intolerance. New conservative movements making their way through Europe and around the world. With this emotional story and memorable characters, we want to contribute to the reflection on these themes.”

My Place Is Here is produced by Orisa Produzioni and Goldkind Film with the support of Calabria Film Commission, Regione Lazio with the contribution of Apulia Film Commission and Regione Puglia. Adler Distribution will release the film in Italy in April.