L’attrice protagonista e la regista introduco la proiezione del film – 28 Aprile ore 20.45 Teatro Astoria
Directed by Carolina Cavalli, The Kidnapping of Arabella transcends genre dynamics to become a road movie of the soul, exploring the fissures of a generation suspended between regret and anxiety about the future. At the heart of the story is Holly, a twenty-eight-year-old living with the constant feeling that authentic life is always “elsewhere.” The kidnapping of the title is merely a narrative pretext—a desperate attempt to heal the past and reconcile with failed expectations through the mirror of a rediscovered childhood.
Drawing from digital inspirations and daily reflections on the devaluation of reality, the director crafts a melancholic and vibrant comedy that captures a widespread collective sentiment. It is a work that invites us to rediscover the meaning of things and the beauty of the present, enriched on this occasion by the presence of director Carolina Cavalli and lead actress Benedetta Porcaroli for an in-depth dialogue on the nuances of an identity in search of its place.
BENEDETTA PORCAROLI She is one of the most talented and sought-after performers of her generation. Following her early debut in Perfect Strangers and global success with the Netflix series Baby, she has established herself as a leading face of auteur cinema, working under directors such as Giuseppe Piccioni, Francesca Archibugi, and Pietro Castellitto. A Nastro d’Argento winner for Best Newcomer, she seamlessly navigates between international productions — from the recent horror Immaculate to the Netflix global series The Leopard — and independent film. Her artistic partnership with Carolina Cavalli, which began with the success of Amanda, continues today with The Kidnapping of Arabella, confirming her as a magnetic actress capable of embodying the complexities of the modern era.
CAROLINA CAVALLI She is one of the most original voices on the international cinematic stage. A recipient of the Premio Solinas and the San Francisco Film Society Grant, she made her directorial debut in 2022 with Amanda, showcased at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals. Her writing transcends national borders: she co-wrote the feature film Fremont (2023), which premiered at Sundance and won the prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. With a style that captures contemporary anxieties, Cavalli stands as a unique talent in the landscape of global auteur cinema.
