Posted Fri Apr 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by Tom Landy
The 2010 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film is planned for Blu-ray in May.
In an early announcement to retailers, Palisades Tartan is bringing the Italian dramedy 'The First Beautiful Thing' to Blu-ray on May 22.
'The First Beautiful Thing' was nominated for an impressive 18 David di Donatello Awards (Italy's Academy Awards) and won for Best Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Actor. Director Paolo Virzi was also shortlisted for Best European Director by The European Film Academy last year. Virzi first made a name for himself with his debut feature, 'La Bella Vita,' where he won the David di Donatello and Silver Ribbon awards for best new director. His penultimate feature film, 'Tutta La Vita Davanti,' won two Silver Ribbons (Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress, Sabrina Ferilli).
Italian cinema caused a sensation in the United States over a decade ago when Roberto Benigni won three Oscars for 'Life Is Beautiful.' The commedia enjoyed terrific critical and commercial success and Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema said ''This is an honor for Italian cinema and culture.” Virzi directed Benigni in Caterina In 'The Big City' (2003).
With a strong ensemble cast of Italian cinema heavyweights including Micaela Ramazzotti ('Tutta La Vita Davanti'), Stefania Sandrelli (Stealing Beauty, The Last Kiss, Jamon, Jamon), and Valerio Mastandrea (Nine, Tutta La Vita Davanti), Virzi is able to weave together a compassionate and touching narrative that makes 'The First Beautiful Thing' stand out among other films in the New Italian Cinema movement.
The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and there doesn't appear to be any supplements.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98.
You can find the latest specs for 'The First Beautiful Thing' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 22.
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