Fireworks
November 12, 2023
Inspired by true events, Italian actor Giuseppe Fiorello's directorial debut tells a deeply moving story about the painful struggles of two teenaged boys who fall in love in 1980s Sicily.
Individual Tickets: Select showtime to purchase
Passes: $125 | $100 SIFF Members - Access to all Cinema Italian Style screenings and the Opening Night party
SIFF year-round passes are not valid for this screening. Vouchers are accepted.
A sunbaked Sicilian town in the summer of 1982 provides the vivid backdrop to this tender romantic drama about two teenagers who fall in love, but much to the disapproval of those around them. Gianni (Samuele Segreto) is a handsome but shy teen who works as a car mechanic at his stepfather’s garage but mercilessly taunted by the macho townsmen for being a homosexual. With his family life no better, Gianni withdraws into himself until one day he meets Nino (Gabriele Pizzuto), a curly-haired boy with an infectious smile. As the two become close and fall in love, the moral rumblings from their families and neighbors begin to erupt. With all against them, the boys decide to make a stand. An emotional and beautifully realized movie, Fireworks was based on a real-life incident, one which actually jump-started the Italian Gay Rights movement in 1981.
- Original Language Title: Stranizza d’amuri
- Director: Giuseppe Fiorello
- Principal Cast: Gabriele Pizzurro, Samuele Segreto, Fabrizia Sacchi, Simona Malato, Antonio De Matteo, Enrico Roccaforte
- Country: Italy
- Year: 2023
- Running Time: 134 min.
- Producer: Riccardo Di Pasquale, Gabriele Oricchio, Eleonora Pratelli
- Screenplay: Carlo Salsa, Andrea Cedrola, Giuseppe Fiorello
- Cinematographers: Ramiro Civita
- Editors: Federica Forcesi
- Music: Giovanni Caccamo, Leonardo Milani
- Website: Official Website
- Awards: Nastri d’Argento Awards 2023 (Best New Director, Special Award)
- Filmography: Debut Feature Film
- Language: Italian
- Has Subtitles: Yes
- US Distributor: Cinephobia Releasing