“Luminous. The movie glows. A slender Chekhovian vignette about the joys and regrets of old age and the pleasures of sociability. The movie’s scenes of food preparation are mouthwatering. One of the film’s deepest satisfactions is the characters’ complete lack of ruminative psychologizing.”
– Stephen Holden, The New York Times
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“A delectably light comedy. Four of the feistiest biddies. Like watching John Cassavetes trapped in a mega-episode of The Golden Girls.
Yet as a director, (Gianni Di Gregorio) has a keen ability to find sympathy in all of his characters.
Throw in the film’s unmistakable ear for the cajoling rhythms of geriatric Italian conversation – you’ll almost want to ignore the subtitles
and just listen to the music of these elderly women’s voices. A mouthwatering cinematic feast.”
– Kevin B. Lee, Time Out New York

“Very funny, very subtly observed . A delightful feat!”
– Nicolas Rapold, Film Comment

“Will make you hungry for a home-cooked Italian dinner, washed down by bountiful wine.”
– V.A. Musetto, New York Post

If you can’t make it to Italy, watch the trailer… and see the movie.”
– Eimear Lynch, Condé Nast Traveler Online

Writer-director Gianni Di Gregorio (co-writer of GOMORRAH) also stars in this charming tale of a middle-aged man devoted to his elderly mother, with whom he lives in Rome’s picturesque Trastevere neighborhood. Together they bemoan the letters from their building’s management to make good on overdue payments; they’d much rather spend time debating The Three Musketeers or planning elaborate, tantalizing meals. The building manager twists Gianni’s arm to allow his own elderly mother and aunt to move into their apartment during the Pranzo di Ferragosto, Italy’s biggest summer holiday. One thing leads to another and soon the man finds himself running what feels like a boarding house for geriatrics. Wryly amusing and full of surprises, MID-AUGUST LUNCH has been a prize-winner at festivals throughout Europe (including Venice and London), where its sly humor and humanity have been warmly appreciated.

Official website

ITALY • 2009 • 75 MINS. • IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES • ZEITGEIST FILMS

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