Abyssinia

Institute History

  • 1994 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Francesco Martinotti's first feature focuses on the strange misadventures of Antonio, an itinerant. twenty-five-year-old waiter who suddenly finds himself fired. After rifling the till, and being beaten up by a couple of bouncers, he regains consciousness near a rundown beach restaurant The Titano, renamed the Abyssinia by the locals because It is so out-of-the-way. is run by Enzo Pagnini, a once great restaurateur who has seen better days

Antonio is hired by Pagnini, but despite the fact that the cook prepares sumptuous meals. no one comes to eat inertia blends into dread as Pagnlni, a great, sad-eyed bear, wanders through the tattered remains of his dreams.

One day, a young, handsome gigolo arrives, ushering trouble in the form of the beautiful, sensual, and enigmatic Francesca. When simmering passions erupt. Antonio finds himself trapped in this huit clos and can only react to the dark, disturbing relationship before him.

Martlnottl places his eerie mating dance against the blazing sands and sun of the Adriatic, an ironic contrast to the feelings he examines in this film noir-style tragedy.


Tuesday Jan 25 10:40 pm
Holiday Village Cinema III

Wednesday Jan 26 3:00 pm
Prospector Square Theatre

Sunday Jan 30 11:20 am
Holiday Village Cinema II

$7.00

— Piers Handling, Toronto Film Festival

Screening Details

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