VITA Offers Outlet For Italian Film In The UK

VITA is a new independent distributor promising to “breathe life into UK foreign language releasing.”

The UK company will specialise in releasing contemporary Italian films, with the release of A Perfect Day, The Past Is A Foreign Land (both October 2010), Cosmonauta (November) and The White Space (February 2011) already confirmed.

VITA is the UK licensee’s of prominent Italian producer-distributor Domenico Procacci’s Fandango (Gomorrah, Il Divo), and VITA’s founder Chris Johnson enthused: “I’m delighted to be launching with a slate of acquisitions from Fandango, who are a consistent force in quality films, and a partner with a strong international reputation. We look forward to announcing other multi-title acquisitions in due course.

Chris continued: “Our aim is to make the populist, non-formulaic entertainment that Italian cinema provides available with regular releases to rent and own. These are really resonant, multi-generational wonderfully accessible films from a modern culture that retains the best traditions of storytelling. We will be working in new and traditional outlets, and have exciting plans for VITA’s development.”

Fandango’s owner Domenico Procacci added: “International audiences are more and more aware of the ‘Nouvelle Vague’ of Italian cinema, and our new authors are finally being recognised for their work without comparisons in an impossible match to Fellini, Antonioni and Visconti… VITA’s commitment to Italian cinema is great news!”

Johnson is confident of the niche potential of the World Cinema market: “A specialist label with regular well publicised releases has a great opportunity to develop a loyal network. VITA will appeal to a cross-section of audiences, many of whom already enjoy a ‘virtual love affair’ with Italy, its culture and all things Italian. We have very interesting ongoing discussions with potential partners that are excited to be a part of the Italian Cinema experience VITA’s planning to introduce.”

Prior to VITA there was no dedicated outlet for Italian cinema in the UK.