First look: Gay Italian coming of age saga, Fireworks
Two teenage boys, Gianni and Nino, meet and fall in love. The relationship soon becomes a topic of gossip in their small town and despite their families’ objections the two dream of living together, something the community is determined to stop.
Cinephobia Releasing has announced the North American release of the Italian LGBTQ festival darling Fireworks from writer-director Giuseppe Fiorello.
“I was attracted to Fireworks because it more than just another “gay film” as the story is just as interested in the lives of the boy’s parents, neighbors and friends as it is with the two young lovers”, said Ray Murray, President of Cinephobia Releasing. “It truly is a snapshot of a 1981 pre-gay rights Italian village.”
A sunbaked Sicilian town in the summer of 1982 provides the vivid backdrop to this tender romantic drama about two teenagers who fall in love, but much to the disapproval of those around them.
Gianni is a handsome but shy teen who works as a car mechanic at his stepfather’s garage but mercilessly taunted by the macho townsmen for being a homosexual. With his family life no better, Gianni withdraws into himself until one day he meets Nino, a curly-haired boy with an infectious smile. As the two become close and fall in love, the moral rumblings from their families and neighbors begin to erupt. With all against them, the boys decide to make a stand.
Fireworks held its North American Premiere at the Lincoln Center’s Open Roads Film Festival, and went on to have a healthy festival life with screenings at Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, Cinema Diverse: Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival, and Reel Q – Pittsburgh’s LGBT Film Festival.
The film stars Gabriele Pizzurro, Samuele Segreto, Fabrizia Sacchi, Simona Malato, Antonio De Matteo, and Enrico Roccaforte. It is produced by Riccardo Di Pasquale, Gabriele Oricchio, and Eleonora Pratelli.
Based on a real-life incident that jump-started the Italian Gay Rights movement in 1981, the emotional and beautifully realized Fireworks will arrive on January 18, 2024 on DVD and VOD, digital platforms, including AppleTV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, VUDU, and more.
