During the second night of the TIFF film festival, Federico Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita,” featuring the iconic actor Marcello Mastroianni, was screened as part of the RetrospecTIFF session dedicated to him this year.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Mastroianni’s birth, TIFF pays special tribute to this cinematic icon, who left behind an extraordinary legacy through his unforgettable characters that continue to inspire generations. The festival has organized a special program showcasing four selected films from his career:

• “La Dolce Vita” by Federico Fellini (1960)
• 81⁄2 by Federico Fellini (1963)
• “Io, Io, Io… e gli Altri” by Alessandro Blasetti (1966)
• “Che Ora È” by Ettore Scola (1989)

The RetrospecTIFF program is made possible through the contribution of the Italian Cultural Institute, represented by its director, Alessandro Ruggera, who was present at the Millennium Cinema last night.

The second day of the festival also featured numerous screenings of competing films, notably “Lejleku” by director Isa Qosja, a co-production of Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania. This 2023 feature-length film (97 minutes) tells the story of a sleepy Montenegrin village where most locals have emigrated to the United States.

The narrative revolves around the bittersweet experiences of three women fighting for autonomy. Suta resists the pressure to marry her deceased husband’s autistic twin, while Vezire and Drane learn to coexist as their shared husband plans to leave. Meanwhile, Fize tries to find a bride for her son. The arrival of a stork unsettles the superstitious villagers, adding to the film’s tension.

/a.c/