Marco Bellocchio’s latest film, “Se posso permettermi Capitolo II” (May I Say? Chapter Two), will have its world premiere this Sunday at the Venice Film Festival, where it will be featured in the Out of Competition section. This 30-minute film is a sequel to a short film of the same name created in 2019 as part of the Fare Cinema (Making Cinema) training program, with global distribution handled by Rai Cinema.
The narrative of “Capitolo II” reveals over a single day, focusing on Fausto, who remains immovably indifferent as he encounters a series of unusual visitors. These visitors include a smooth-talking local priest; a strange businessman with a bizarre ghost-themed venture; and a Carabinieri captain who suggests a shotgun wedding for his daughter, who is pregnant by an unknown man.
As night falls, two burglars, working with Barbara, break into Fausto’s house. Fausto, ever the picture of nonchalance, informs them that there’s nothing left to steal, as everything has already been sold. Left with no choice, the burglars engage in idle conversation until morning, at which point Barbara begins making coffee.
In discussing the film, Bellocchio describes it as a bittersweet and humor-tinged farewell to a house that has played a remarkable role in his life and career, as a setting in his 1965 film “I pugni in tasca” (Fists in the Pocket). He reflects on the house’s personal importance, including family memories and the enduring work ethic of his relatives. The film was developed with contributions from students of the 2023 Bottega XNL – Making Cinema course and features performances by a talented cast.
The film is produced by Simone Gattoni of Kavac Film, Rai Cinema, and Paola Pedrazzini of Fondazione Fare Cinema. Bellocchio, renowned for his influential debut and subsequent acclaimed works such as “Fai bei sogni,” “Il traditore,” and “Marx può aspettare,” continues to leave his mark on the film industry with this latest release.