Mid-August Lunch

The charismatic Gianni Di Gregorio (co-scenarist of the smash hit Gomorrah), stars in his directorial debut—an utterly charming tale of good food, feisty ladies and unlikely friendships during a very Roman holiday. Broke, and armed with only a glass of wine and a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni resides with his 93-year-old mother in their ancient apartment. The condo debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager’s mother during the Pranzo di Ferragosto (Italy’s biggest summer holiday, and the Feast of the Assumption), all will be forgiven. Then the manager also shows up with an auntie, and then a doctor friend appears with his mother in tow... Can Gianni keep four such lively mamas well fed and happy in these cramped quarters?

Winner of numerous prizes at international festivals, including Best First Film at Venice and the Satyajit Ray Award at London, plus the Golden Snail at the Academy of Food and Film in Bologna, Mid-August Lunch is both warmly vibrant family drama and delicately balanced comedy of manners.

“A film of gentle wit with a wicked twinkle in its eye.” (Sight & Sound)

“Feel good vibes and Cassavetes-inspired camera work.” (Jay Weissberg, Variety)

“How these four elderly women interact and turn Gianni into a willing servant is the substance of “Mid-August Lunch,” a slender Chekhovian vignette about the joys and regrets of old age and the pleasures of sociability. All four women emerge as vital, quirky, independent spirits...it is a group portrait of people who are comfortable with who they are, savoring the pleasures of food and companionship and living in the moment. The movie glows.” (Stephen Holden, New York Times)